Max Purcell and Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska lost in the 2021 US Open semi-finals in mixed doubles.

New York, United States, September 9, 2021 | Leigh rogers

Max Purcell’s memorable 2021 US Open campaign has come to an end.

The 23-year-old from New South Wales made his singles debut in the main draw as a wildcard, where he impressively pushed world number 16 Jannik Sinner to four sets.

Purcell earned his first career men’s doubles victory at the tournament – and ended up winning three games alongside Matthew Ebden to reach the quarter-finals.

In mixed doubles, Purcell and Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska advanced to the semi-finals without losing a set. This is the world’s best career result for the world No.42 in a Grand Slam mixed doubles competition.

His six wins in total are the most Australian players at the tournament this year.

However, Purcell’s quest to become the ninth Open-era Australian to reach a mixed doubles final at the US Open narrowly failed.

Giuliana Olmos of Mexico and Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador scored a 4-6 6-4 [10-6] victory in their semi-final clash in New York today, sealing a first big final appearance for each.

Purcell and Yastremska scored 36 winners against 15 for their opponent in the 85-minute semi-final match, but that wasn’t enough to get them across the finish line in a close battle.

Purcell’s exit leaves four Australians remaining in the tournament – John Peers has reached the men’s doubles semi-finals, Sam Stosur is a women’s doubles semi-finalist, while Dylan Alcott and Heath Davidson proudly fly the Australian flag in the competition in quad wheelchair.

Australians in action – US Open

THE DAY’S RESULTS
Mixed doubles, semi-finals
Giuliana Olmos (MEX) / Marcelo Arevalo (ESA) d [Alt] Dayana Yastremska (UKR) /Max Purcell (AUS) 4-6 6-4 [10-6]

FUTURE
Ladies’ doubles, semi-finals
[14] Sam Stosur (AUS)/ Zhang Shuai (CHN) v TBC

Men’s doubles, semi-finals
[8] John Peers (AUS)/ Filip Polasek (SVK) v [7] Jamie Murray (GBR) / Bruno Soares (BRA)