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Women's number one Ash Barty is out of the US Open.
- Ash Barty made 17 unforced errors in the first set and then three more when she held a 5-2 lead in the third which proved costly in the end
- Barty had not dropped a set in the tournament before meeting Shelby Rogers
- Rogers praised the crowd for their support in defeating the world number one
Shelby Rogers took the first set and rallied from three points down in the third to upset Barty 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 (5) at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the fourth round.
The 28-year-old beat Barty for the first time in six career meetings, five of them this year.
Rogers, the last American left in the women's draw, was fantastic in the third, hitting backhand winners and using a 103 mph serve to fight her way back against the reigning Wimbledon champion.
Barty had not dropped a set in the tournament but was sloppy from the start. She made 17 unforced errors in the first set and then three more when she held a 5-2 lead in the third that let Rogers back in.
As they are for most Americans, the crowd roared for Rogers on every winner, and she waved her arms and exhorted the fans to get louder. The 28-year-old Rogers broke Barty twice in the third when Barty served for the match.
The return of spectators to the US Open is getting credit from a lot of players for changing matches' outcomes — Rogers thinks it played a role in her Barty upset.
"The crowd is next-level this year," Rogers told the fans in her post-match interview. "You've picked who you want to win, so thank you for picking me tonight."
No fans were allowed to attend the US Open a year ago because of the coronavirus pandemic.