US Open: Federer shock exit follows Djokovic, Nadal only Big 3 member left

Roger Federer looked on the cusp of collecting slam No. 21, but went out in a shock exit to Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinal, with what looked like a back injury.

Roger Federer played with trepidation at the outset of the US Open, but seemed to have bounced right back in his last two commanding matches to book his spot against Grigor Dimitrov in the quarters. The Bulgarian had never beaten Federer in seven tries, and it looked like the beginning of the match was going to follow the same script.

But forehand errors and a major dip in serve were the first indications that Federer’s form was quickly slipping in the fourth set, which Dimitrov was able to clinch and ride the momentum into a dominating fifth, 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Uncharacteristic for the 20-time slam champ, Fed took time out at the end of the fourth to deal with what seemed like a back issue. Unlike Djokovic in his last match, Federer decided to continue play, even though he was clearly uncomfortable with some sort of physical ailment. Testament to the legend, he has never admirably retired from a match. And he didn’t this time either. Roger Federer may have lost, but he’s truly a champion of spirit for the game.

The breakthrough win for Grigor Dimitrov left him elated heading into his first US Open semifinal, where he will face a biting-at the-bit Daniil Medvedev, who is also dealing with a thigh injury himself.

If Daniil Medvedev played the villain in his last two bouts, he certainly worked to make amends in the match with Stan Wawrinka. Instead of courting negativity, the young Russian conjured positive momentum away from the crowd favorite to win his first spot into a grand slam semifinal, 7-6 (8), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

The 23-year-old kept up the pressure on the Swiss player, denying the comeback journey for Wawrinka. Even an injured leg couldn’t stop Medvedev’s freight train to victory. This time, however, the Russian exhibited more humility in his continued attempt to convince tennis fans that he’s not the bad boy persona that he’s developed over the last week.

“Talking about last match, I was an idiot, to be honest,” Medvedev said after one of his earlier round wins. ”I did some things that I’m not proud of and that I’m working on to be a better person on the court, because I do think I’m a good person out of the court.”

In the meantime, he’s letting his tennis do the talking, while the forgiving crowds at New York seem to be warming up to him, slightly.

With Naomi Osaka bowing out the day before, she joined Novak Djokovic’s status, unable to defend her title as well. The draw opened up, and Serena Williams was right there to capitalize. She dealt her overwhelmed opponent, Wang Qiang, a blistering defeat, 6-1, 6-0, that took just 44 minutes to complete. It was her 100th win at the Open, joining Federer’s own clocked in a few matches ago. The 37-year-old WTA player looks as strong as ever to reach the tennis zenith of 24 grand slam titles.

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She will face off with Elina Svitolina, who has been on fire all tournament, and hasn’t dropped a set yet. It will not be an easy semifinal for Serena, who has lost to Svitolina more than she’s won.

Svitolina served up a customary two-sets defeat to Great Britain’s Johanna Konta, 6-4, 6-4. She will be a formidable challenge for Serena.

The US Open has been serving up shocks in the last few days, with many of the betting odds favorites bowing out. Still left in the draw on the women’s side is my dark horse pick, Bianca Andreescu, who bested sentimental favorite — and one of the best stories from this year’s US Open — Taylor Townsend on Monday. Andreescu is a freight train who does not look like she will stop until she collects the trophy on Saturday. She will battle Elise Mertens on Wednesday.

The men’s quarters finish up on Wednesday as well, with the only member of the Big 3 left, Rafael Nadal, taking on feisty Diego Schwartzman. Italian talent Matteo Berrettini — on a hot streak — will battle charismatic Gael Monfils in the first match of the day, all viewable on ESPN. Stay tuned here for all your US Open and tennis action. For my predictions for the final slam of the year, listen to Just End the Suffering podcast here, although a lot’s changed now (sigh). This has certainly been an unpredictable US Open.