The remaining men’s and women’s quarterfinals were set on Day 8 at the US Open, which featured victories by several major champions and one remarkable upset.

Azarenka overpowers Lepchenko

A player who is competing at a much higher level than her current ranking is Victoria Azarenka. The 20th seed, who is in the process of working back to the top of the rankings, ran through Varvara Lepchecko 6-3, 6-4.

Azarenka served strong in the first set, holding serve throughout. Meanwhile, she attacked Lepchenko’s serve and broke twice. Firing big angled groundstrokes, the two-time major champion gained control and put a stranglehold on the first set.

The American would fight back in the second set, finding cracks in the 26-year-old’s serve. Down 5-3 with the Belarusian serving for the match, Lepchenko would battle for a service break to even the set. However, it was short-lived success as Azarenka quickly broke back when Lepchenko attempted to serve to stay in the match.

Azarenka has been pegged as one of the few who could derail Serena Williams’ run at Flushing Meadows. But the two could only meet in the final, since she is in the opposite side of the bracket.

The veteran played the match with wrapping around both biceps, begging the question as to whether she was playing through an injury. However, Azarenka would explain afterwards. “It's a little embarrassing. I have blisters from my shirts rubbing against my arms, so I needed the bandages,” she said. “It looks weird, but I did what I have to do.”

Anderson Upends Murray

Kevin Anderson came into the U. S. Open playing the best tennis of his career and fresh off a title in Winston-Salem. However, few would have anticipated that he would eliminate Andy Murray in the round of 16 in four sets. But that is exactly what played out as the South African advanced 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6.

Anderson clearly made a point of playing aggressively, which was reflected in his 25 aces and a whopping 81 winners. And despite 57 unforced errors, he set the tone and tempo of the match. With both players firing huge serves, it was Anderson striking the big shots in two of the three tiebreak sets.

The Scot played an efficient match with 49 winners to just 20 unforced errors. But he played himself into a two-set deficit, and this time Anderson would not allow him back into the match.

Anderson’s win was somewhat overshadowed by a meltdown by the No. 3 seed. Unhappy about an extended bathroom break, Murray went into a tirade full of expletives, smashed a racket, and launched a ball into the stands. He invited the chair umpire to fine him.

But it was the 15th seed keeping his poise to advance. He was nearly speechless afterwards. “I'm a little lost for words right now,” the 29-year-old said. “I just managed to keep my composure throughout.”

It was the first time Murray lost prior to the quarterfinals at a major since 2010.

Halep fights into the Quarters

It has become a scene far too familiar for Simona Halep of late. She was forced to fight through an injury to gain a 6-7, 7-5, 6-2 win over Sabine Lisicki.

In the first set, both players competed well with neither finding a consistent upper hand. But despite a determined effort, it appeared that Halep was favoring her leg. And after she dropped the first set, a trainer taped her hamstring prior to the second set.

Clearly showing frustration at her inability to move at a level she desired, Halep could not shake the German. But some loose groundstrokes would benefit the No. 2 seed during the set, giving her an opportunity to gain an advantage.

Halep would ride the momentum gained in the second set into the third set. She would tilt a competitive third set in her favor by taking the last four games. “It's unbelievable to reach my first quarterfinal at the US Open. It was a crazy match,” she said. “I'm pretty tired, but I would have been very unhappy with myself had I lost.” She will face Azarenka in the quarterfinals.

Impressive Win for Federer

Roger Federer continued to impress as he advanced past top American John Isner 7-6, 7-6, 7-5 in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

When facing Isner, tiebreaks are generally a given, and Monday night’s match was no exception. Both players held their serves throughout the first and second sets, forcing tiebreaks. In the first set, Federer would dazzle by taking the tiebreak at love, an almost unheard of feat accomplished against one of the biggest servers in the game.

In the second-set tiebreak, Federer would swing it his way with a few timely winners after measuring the American’s serve.

As play moved into the third set, it was the Swiss stepping up again. Somehow anticipating Isner’s big serve and turning it into offense, Federer would break serve late in the third set to seal the victory. He will advance to the quarterfinals to face Richard Gasquet.

Meanwhile, Isner would join Donald Young on the losing end of a match on Labor Day as the last two Americans in the men’s draw were eliminated.