New York (AFP)

Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka just rolled out, but the young Canadian and American sensations of women's tennis Bianca Andreescu and Taylor Townsend feasted the public on Saturday at the US Open by qualifying for the first time in the Round of 16 of a Grand Slam.

The defending champion, Naomi Osaka firmly put an end to the hopes of the young American Coco Gauff (140th at 15 years old), swept 6-3, 6-0 in 1:05.

"I was not so concentrated from Australia anymore, sorry, Coco, it's been down tonight," said the Japanese N.1 who had chained the titles at Flushing Meadows in 2018 and Melbourne in 2019 before to know a season more mixed.

Nadal took less than two hours to clear South Korean Hyeon Chung (170 and qualifying) 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

"I'm trying to be more aggressive and play less than before ... I'm not 25 anymore," said last year's semi-finalist (he had dropped out of injury) and three-time winner. Flushing Meadows (2010, 2013, 2017).

That's good, having benefited from the package of his opponent Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round, he spent only 4:07 on the court and lost only 16 games to reach the 8th finals.

And his picture was largely illuminated during the first two rounds with the disappearance of four players in the Top 10 (Tsitsipas, Bautista, Thiem and Khachanov). He can meet Djokovic or Federer only in the final.

- Monfils spell Shapovalov -

The men's draw was completed by Andrey Rublev, winner of Nick Kyrgios 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 and Gael Monfils, who dismissed the promising Canadian Denis Shapovalov (33) 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3.

"I tried to keep believing that I was the strongest tonight and I knew I was strong in the 5th set, especially with the support of you, the public," he said. 'outcome of the match about the equalization of Shapovalov to 2 sets everywhere.

Andreescu, 15th in the world at 19, dominated the former N.1 Caroline Wozniacki (19th) 6-4, 6-4.

"Everything I've learned in the last two years is taking shape," she said.

Still 178th in the world after the 2018 season, the Canadian has exploded at the highest level this year including a title in Toronto where she benefited from the retirement of Serena Williams in the final.

Missing at Wimbledon because of an injury, she was eliminated in the second round in Australia and Roland Garros where she played for the first time large paintings.

- The Halep model -

Of Romanian origin, Andreescu said to be modeled the world No.4 Simona Halep who was eliminated in the second round this year at Flushing Meadows by Taylor Townsend ... his next opponent.

The American, 116th World, continues her dream career at the US Open, after eliminating Saturday's Romanian Sorana Cirstea (106th) 7-5, 6-2.

She is the last player from qualifications still competing in the women's draw. Not yet as advanced in the WTA rankings or track record as his next opponent, Townsend has not less seduced the public by his attacking game and his personality.

"I told myself by coming to the US Open: + I'm here, it will be necessary to count with me + And now, that we got there (in the 8th), we will go to the end", launched the 23-year-old player to the delighted public.

Townsend, with a game that was all about attack and net, had created the sensation of the second round by saving a match point against World No. 4 Simona Halep, before eliminating it.

"I did not know that so many people had my phone number!", She commented Saturday about this first win against a Top 10 player.

© 2019 AFP