By Marvin A Azrak.

The apparatus that enthralled the 2022 US Open has been outmoded. Serena Williams officially "Evolved" away from Tennis on Friday after falling in vigorous third-round strife with Ajla Tomlijanovic 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-1 at a strident Arthur Ashe stadium. The 41-year-old Williams retires with 23 grand slam singles titles, 14 doubles titles with her sister Venus, and four gold medals, making her the most inimitable women's tennis player. Serena's grand slam breakdown consists of seven Australian Open titles(2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2015, 2017), three at the French Open(2002, 2013, 2015) seven on the Wimbledon grass(2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016) and six on her home soil( 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014) She netted a record 108 US Open wins, and transformed tennis like nobody that came before her or has come after. It wasn't all perfect; if anything, the final game of the Fridays tilt was a microcosm of her career. Ajila rallied from 3-5 down in the first set, 2-5 in set two to force a tiebreaker, and overcame an early break by Williams, rattling off five straight for an opportunity to serve out the legend's career at 5-1. However, the trademark resolve instrumental to

Williams's success portrayed itself again, as the California native unbelievably saved five match points, even garnering a couple of break point opportunities. But like her career, sometimes she would get in her way and make mistakes that would hamper the image of the GOAT, like the time she was defaulted in the 2009 US Open for verbally threatening a ballgirl and playing the gender card on an umpire resulting in a game penalty during her 2018 New York finals loss to Naimoi Osaka. Then there was this year's Wimbledon champions ceremony, where they celebrated 100 years of the tournament's existence, honoring its singles champions. Still, the seven-time winner didn't show, with rumors indicating she was afflicted of being prohibited from benefiting from tournament cars. However, they were past the deadline of 24 hours following a player's elimination which happened in the first round. Regardless, her constant contrivances outweighed the discrepancies, with the consensus of followers in the media dubbing her a "true role model," which she was to Tennis. Despite robust play from Serena, the unseeded Tomlijanovic culminated in a career victory against the legend and the deafening noise from the fans, reaching the sweet 16.

Then on Sunday, another 7-6(8) ", 6-1 victory Lidumila Samsonova and book a spot in the elite eight. We've now reached the business end of the open, and although there's no Serena, Djokovic, or Federer, the courts are repleted with mouthwatering Quarterfinal matchups.

MENS:

(23) NICK KYRIGOS VS (27) KAREN KHACHANOV

No, it's not a calamity, for world NO1 and reigning champion Danil Medvedev was dethroned by Nick Kyrigos on Sunday night at Arthur Ashe stadium in an enrapturing affair 7-6(11), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. For the two men, it delineated a maiden fortuity under the prime time lights previously antecedently prompted for Serena Williams, and they ran with the spotlight. The first set consisted of jaw-dropping and acute serving, with the two even consecutively trading breaks of possession. Games were nimble and diverting but induced some diffuse rallies swaying the tennis-starved crowd. Conclusively, a tiebreak arose where the arete of Tennis transcended, and the intensity tested the player's nerves. Kyrigos led 4-1 before a furious Medevev 5-1 spurt garnered him a 6-5 advantage and a set point. But Kyrigos, a booming serve by Kyrigos, kept him alive, and he would fend off two more set points, eventually squeaking ahead 10-9, putting him in the driver's seat. Two unforced errors into the net resulted in Nick slamming his racket in frustration before outstanding Danil on two straight points to grab the tiebreaker 13-11 and the 60-minute first set. The top-ranked Medvedev broke Nick's voltaic serve to take the second stanza and level the match at a set apiece. But Nick rebounded and, through his authentic, prolific, and mod playing style, ran roughshod over the reigning champ in the final two sets to knock off the world NO1 and reach his first US Open quarterfinal.

Kyrigo's opponent, Karen Khachanov seeded 27th, will be making his first appearance in the last eight and made headlines in the previous round when he upended 12th seeded Pablo Carreno Busta in an exciting five-setter, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in 3 hours and 21 minutes. Expect Kyrigos to have the crowd behind him and take advantage of the possibly weary Russian, who will heavily rely on his serve to stay with the Australian.

(5) CASPER RUUD VS (13( MATEO BERETINI:

Whether you think he's truly the best player in the world, Casper Ruud can take advantage of this year's uniqueness in the rankings system should he win this year's US Open. Although still alive, Casper hasn't played the role of a top seed, needing five sets to vanquish Tommy Paul in a four-hour, 23-minute five-setter in the third round 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-0. Tommy may be ranked 29th, but he had entered the tournament with zero US open wins and was coming off two straight five-setters. Credit to Tommy for making Casper work and grinding out three grueling matches, but if Ruud is to prove he's world NO1, this shouldn't be close. Casper, too, required 3 hours and 20 minutes to advance to the quarterfinals, pinning the end to the bid of lucky loser Corentin Moutet, 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-2.

That being said, he does have the skill, big serve, and agility to defeat the field because he's the five seed and has had a career year reaching the French Open final a few months ago.

It starts with Berertini on Tuesday; however, after two straight marathons, does he still have enough left in the tank?

Mateo, meanwhile, is making his second consecutive appearance in the US Open elite eight and has displayed his potential championship metal, defeating 2013 champ Andy Murray 6-4,6-4, 6-7(1), 6-3. in round three, and withstood the fight of 39 ranked Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the round of 16 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in three hours 46 minutes.

Considering he's been here before. and isn't battling Djokovic, Federer, or Nadal, I would expect Mateo to back up his straight sets win over Ruud from round three in 2020 and take out the NO1 hopeful in four. Casper is an incredible player who deserves to be here just as much as anyone. But Mateo has the power and big game that should wear him down in the business end of the proceedings, allowing him to win.

(11) JANIK SINNER VS (3) CARLOS ALACRAZ:

In a rematch from Wimbledon, won by Sinner 6-1,6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3, the two are set to battle again on the hard courts.

Both partcipants enter the bout physically weary from round four, as Alcaraz stayed on the court until 2:30 AM Tuesday, ousting 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Meanwhile, Sinner took the last five games, and rallied past Ilay Ivashka Monday night 6-1, 5-7,6-2, 4-6, 6-3, admittedly not playing his best Tennis, yet used the boisterous crowd to his advantage, hung in the fight and pulled out the win.

The fans are expected to be on the Spaniard's side in their clash, who must improve his return game following his dreadful 6-18 performance on break points against Cilic. However, Sinner's serve was broken five times, attributing to the nerves prevalent for both young stars, and whoever overcomes that in what's expected to be a five-setter will advance to the semifinals.

(22) FRANCES TIAFOE VS (9) ANDRE RUBLEV:

Tiafoe garnered the biggest superlative in Tennis, handing the mighty Rafael Nadal his first and only grand slam defeat in 2022, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, for the biggest win of the American's career. He'll look to capitalize on a dream opportunity with a US Open title in sight against Andre Rublev in their quarterfinal match. The Russian has silently played stifling Tennis, pulverizing NO7 seed Cameron Norrie in round four 6-4,6-4, 6-4, and will make his third appearance at the US Open's last eight, but is 0-5 at this stage in a major for his career. Both are big servers and prefer to establish their emphatic forehands early and often, meaning the more efficient player will emerge from the akin style match. I give Tiafoe the edge in four with the USA-clamored crowd on hand.

WOMEN'S:

(12)COCO GAUFF VS (17) CAROLINE GARCIA:

Two players that are scorching hot go head-head as 18-year-old American sensation Coco Gauff battles a scintillating 27-year-old Caroline Garcia from France, who's on a 12-match winning streak, including a Cincinnati Open win, and has yet to drop a set through her first four matches at this fortnight, identical to Gauf's success. Gauff retains a copious serve, but Garcia adduces a malignant return game. It's a toss-up for me, but the crowd will heavily favor the American under the lights, so I got Gauff, who some have already dubbed the "next Serena," but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

(5) Ons Jabeur vs (29) Ajla Tomljanovic

Ajila, the "Serena slayer," is poised to continue her career run, but Ons Jabeur plans to have a say. Contrary to the well-documented adversity Tomlnjanovic has had to overcome this week, Ons rallied from a set down against Shelby Rodgers in round three 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, before she defeated 18 seed Veronika Kudermetova 7-6(1), 6-4 to place her first US Open quarterfinal. Ultimately, I think Ajila rides the momentum she's obtained from her past two resolute wins and continues to bewitch the big apple with a final four berth.

(1) IGA SWIATEK VS (8) JESSICA PEGULA

In sports, 1-8 matchups on paper are one-sided, and this one is no exception. The two present similar baseline games and Iga is simply unbeatable when she's on, which happens on most nights. Hoping for a win out of the American Pegula, which would be euphoric for the home fans, but it's unlikely to happen.

Karolina Pliskova vs (6)Aryna Sabalenka:

The enlivening "Comeback of Aryna " in the third round, when she prostrated a 2-6, 1-5, 15-40 deficit against Kaila Kanepi for an improbable win, catapulted her precept she could emanate from Queens as the champion. Two rounds later, following a sweet 16 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over American Danielle Collins, she's poised to do just that as she locks rackets with veteran Karoline Plisiskova in the quarterfinals. The Czech's 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2 victory over Victoria Azarenka in round four pushed her through to her fifth US Open quarterfinal in the pasts seven years. In the fittest battle, expect the younger Sabelenka to wear her opponent down and win in three sets.