De Minaur plays down expectations ahead of Evans test

The U.S. Open’s third round continues on Saturday as the world’s top players battle for Grand Slam glory in New York.
Men’s top seed Jannik Sinner takes on Christopher O’Connell and women’s top seed Iga Swiatek faces off against former quarter-finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Australian 10th seed Alex de Minaur, who has been struggling with a hip injury, plays Britain’s Dan Evans, while former champion and fifth seed Daniil Medvedev takes on Flavio Cobolli.
TOP MEN’S MATCH: ALEX DE MINAUR V DAN EVANS
A cartilage tear in the hip that forced De Minaur to pull out of the Wimbledon quarter-final and miss the Paris Olympics made him a doubt for Thursday’s second-round clash with Otto Virtanen.
But the 25-year old went on to beat Virtanen by straight sets to stay in the campaign and continue the battle to keep the injury at bay.
De Minaur was happy to be able to keep playing but did not want to raise the expectations too much ahead of facing British veteran Evans.
“Still not a lot of expectations, but I know every time I step out there I’m going to compete, I’m going to try my hardest and hopefully put on a show for you guys,” he said. “So let’s see if I can keep it going.”
TOP WOMEN’S MATCH: IGA SWIATEK V ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Former champion Iga Swiatek cruised past qualifier Ena Shibahara in the second round, losing just one game in the match.
The five-time Grand Slam winner did not lose a single game against Pavlyuchenkova when they met last year.
“I’m playing, you know, not overpowering (tennis), but trying to be really solid and picking the right shots and being proactive. I’m happy with everything,” Swiatek said.
“I was just trying to stay in the zone… I just want to play and keep playing the same way.”
SINNER BATTLES STEROID STIGMA
Australian Open champion and world number one Jannik Sinner is not only battling his opponents but also a flood of negative comments from fans and some players since it was revealed that he had tested positive for the steroid clostebol in March.
The 23-year-old avoided a ban as it was ruled he bore no fault or negligence for the violations.
“Everyone is quite free to say everything, so it is what it is,” Sinner said. “It helps me to see who my friends are and who are not my friends… This is all part of a growing experience, no?”
Sinner lost to his third round opponent O’Connell in 2021 but beat the Australian when they met again in March.
“Just take it easy, you know. We always try to do our best. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. I think trying to give our best, we won already regardless of the result,” Sinner added.
MEDVEDEV UP AGAINST ‘EXPLOSIVE’ COBOLLI
Former champion and fifth seed Medvedev has never shared a court with his third-round opponent Cobolli, but said he found the 22-year-old’s playing style to be interesting.
“I saw him play. He has, I think, really explosive tennis. I would say knew little bit maybe like margin, but in a different style,” last year’s finalist Medvedev said.
Cobolli, who has qualified for the U.S. Open main draw for the first time, reached the final of Washington Open last month.
“It’s going to be interesting. Looking forward,” said Medvedev.
U.S. OPEN ORDER OF PLAY ON SATURDAY
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM (1600 GMT/12 NOON ET)
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (Spain) v 6-Jessica Pegula (U.S.)
1-Jannik Sinner (Italy) v Christopher O’Connell (Australia)
1- Iga Swiatek (Poland) v 25-Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Russia)
31-Flavio Cobolli (Italy) v 5-Daniil Medvedev (Russia)
LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM (1500 GMT/11 AM ET)
30-Yulia Putinseva (Kazakhstan) v 5-Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
Sara Errani (Italy) v 18-Diana Shnaider (Russia)
Gabriel Diallo (Canada) v 14-Tommy Paul (U.S.)
10-Alex de Minaur (Australia) v Dan Evans (Britain)
22-Beatriz Haddad Maia v 15-Anna Kalinskaya (Russia)