Served with Andy Roddick – QUICK SERVED: US Open Day 7 August 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This "Quick Served" episode of the Served Podcast delivers a brisk, insightful roundup of Day 7 action at the US Open, focusing on major results, emerging storylines, and the key performances that shaped the tournament's business end. With Andy Roddick away celebrating his birthday, Jon Wertheim anchors the episode, guiding listeners through memorable moments from both the day and night sessions, including high-profile showdowns and surprising upsets on both the men’s and women’s sides.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Coco Gauff’s Poised Progress and Osaka Matchup

• Gauff’s Earlier Matches: Gauff’s struggles and drama from her earlier rounds gave way to a stress-free straight-sets win in her Day 7 match. Her serving aggression and improved composure were notable.
  • "She looked a lot like Coco Gauff. The kind of player who can win majors. All of the drama and the melodrama and the emotions… really fell by the wayside." — Jon Wertheim [01:24]
• Post-Match Vibes: Gauff’s willingness to engage in media “car wash” interviews post-match was seen as a positive sign of mindset.
• Next Up, Osaka: Gauff faces Naomi Osaka, a two-time champion. Their rematch is highly anticipated, contrasting Gauff’s current edge in competitiveness against Osaka’s pure hitting ability.
  • "When Osaka is at her best, she might be the better tennis player… Coco Gauff is the better competitor right now." — Jon Wertheim [03:05]
• Coaching & Biomechanics: Gauff’s work with coach Gavin McMillan and technical adjustments were touched upon, with questions about how much six sets under the new regime truly reveal.

Jannik Sinner Tested but Advances

• Scratchy Victory: Defending champ Jannik Sinner dropped a set and was behind against Denis Shapovalov before turning the match around, highlighting Shapovalov’s inconsistency and Sinner’s resilience.
  • "Denis Shapovalov sort of retreated. In many ways, this is a metaphor for his career. A lot of flash, a lot of show… but not a lot of great… match generalship." — Jon Wertheim [04:06]
• Sinner’s Self-Assessment: Sinner’s statement, "I played well," was received skeptically given his struggles [05:04].

IGA Swiatek Survives, Venus Shines in Doubles

• IGA’s Slow Start: Swiatek was down 1–5 in the first set against Kalinskaya before finding form—a reminder that champions often “survive and advance.”
  • "IGA looked a little shaky… but ends up prevailing. Sometimes that can be a disguised blessing." — Jon Wertheim [05:31]
• Venus & Layla: Venus Williams, at age 45, continues to capture attention, advancing in doubles with Leylah Fernandez.
  • "Venus Williams… acquitted herself quite well… the delight of the crowd and also honestly the delight of the schedule makers." — Jon Wertheim [06:10]

Notable Results and Storylines

• Surprise and Retirements: Notable performances included Bia Haddad Maia’s upset of Sakkari, Musetti’s advance, and three player retirements despite perfect weather.
• Hong Kong’s Historic Win: Colton Wong, the first from Hong Kong to win a US Open main-draw match, exited after an inspired five-set battle with Rublev.
  • "Colton Wong was just walking around with this perma smile… his run though, ended yesterday in five sets." — Jon Wertheim [07:16]

Off-Court Moments – The “Hat Incident”

• Public Shaming and Viral Moments: The episode digresses to discuss the virality of the “hat stealing” incident from the stands.
  • "You’re going about your life… wearing Gucci, life’s good, you’re stealing hats from kids… and 24 hours later, you’re the villain of the world." — Jon Wertheim [08:26]
  • "Sometimes things happen for a reason… hopefully there's a lesson from it for all of us." — Co-host [09:23]
• Ostapenko & the “Villain Meter”: Wertheim jokes that Yelena Ostapenko was probably amused to have competition for tournament “villain.”

The Night Session – Zverev Falls, Felix Rises

• Zverev’s Stalling Prime: Alexander Zverev’s early loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime was framed as another sign that his peak may have passed without a major.
  • "We've all agreed best player not to have win a major… but, you know what, he holds on to that title because he went down to Felix O.J. Aliassime." — Jon Wertheim [10:04]
  • "Just a rough year for a guy who should notionally be in his prime." — Jon Wertheim [10:45]
• Felix Auger-Aliassime’s Breakthrough: Felix’s authoritative win could signal a breakthrough, showing the aggression and composure long expected from him.
  • "That was a master class last night… this could have unlocked something." — Jon Wertheim [12:00]
• Bublik vs. Paul: Alexander Bublik's five-set win over an injured Tommy Paul capped the night, with Bublik delivering his trademark unpredictable play.
  • "Bublik doing Bublikian things… up 5-2 in the breaker, double fault… then hit 119 mph… just Bublik doing Bublikian things." — Jon Wertheim [13:12]

Day 8 Schedule Preview and Serve & Volley Nerd-out

• Today’s Featured Players: Jessie Pegula opens, followed by Alcaraz and Djokovic in the day session, each taking Ashe Stadium for their matches; surprise: Taylor Fritz again won’t play on Ashe.
  • "Taylor Fritz… may get to the quarterfinals and not play on the big stadium." — Jon Wertheim [14:45]
• Serve & Volley Stats: Serve & volley works 68% of the time, but only 2% of points at the Open use the technique, a curious stat considering doubles specialists Taylor Townsend and Barbora Krejcikova are facing off.
  • "I'm going to give you a strategy… going to work more than two out of three times… and you only do it one out of 50 times. Make of that what you will." — Jon Wertheim [15:35]
• Taylor Townsend’s Phoenix Monologue: Wertheim encourages everyone to find Townsend’s “phoenix” metaphor for her comeback story, calling it “one of the great monologues of this tournament.” [16:21]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Gauff vs. Osaka: "This is a good Labor Day match. It's an interesting matchup… Coco Gauff is the better competitor right now." — Jon Wertheim [03:00]
• On Zverev’s Status: "The prospects of Alexander Zverev winning a major just seem sort of dimmer and dimmer." — Jon Wertheim [11:16]
• On Felix’s Upset: "This is one of the great wins of his career… this could have unlocked something." — Jon Wertheim [12:08]
• On the Hat Incident: "You're doing over a sweaty ball cap. The guy's probably got an extra one if you'd ask for him." — Jon Wertheim [09:44]
• On Serve & Volley: "Serve and volley as a strategy is successful 68% of the time this tournament… and you only do it one out of 50 times." — Jon Wertheim [15:35]
• Taylor Townsend’s “Phoenix”: "One of the great monologues of this tournament. I encourage everyone to find Taylor Townsend likening herself to a Phoenix." — Jon Wertheim [16:21]

Important Timestamps

• Gauff’s performance and Osaka matchup: 01:00–03:30
• Sinner vs. Shapovalov recap: 04:00–05:10
• IGA Swiatek’s comeback: 05:21–05:52
• Venus doubles update: 06:10
• Colton Wong’s run: 07:16
• "Hat Incident" & social media response: 08:26–09:44
• Zverev vs. Felix wrap-up: 10:04–12:08
• Bublik late-night antics: 13:12
• Next day schedule preview: 14:30–16:00
• Serve and volley segment: 15:21–15:55
• Taylor Townsend’s “Phoenix” monologue recommendation: 16:21

Summary Tone & Takeaways

Jon Wertheim’s delivery is brisk, insightful, and peppered with wry observations. The episode swiftly moves through the highlights, upsets, and quirks of Day 7 at the US Open—balancing serious tennis analysis with insider humor and attention to off-court viral moments. Listeners are left with a satisfying round-up and a clear preview for Labor Day’s action, feeling caught up on both the biggest names and the emerging stories of the tournament.