Defending US Open champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka have reached the round of 16, while Serena and Venus Williams were eliminated in a tight doubles match.
Defending singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka have successfully navigated their way into the round of 16 at the US Open, showcasing the form that earned them their titles. Alcaraz, who recently returned to the court following a four-month injury layoff, demonstrated impressive resilience in his match against China’s Wu Yibing. Despite facing a challenging opponent who pushed him throughout the first two sets, the Spaniard secured a 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 victory
Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz noted the difficulty of managing the rhythm of his opponent's shots, which often skidded across the court surface. However, he emphasized that he is steadily finding his competitive rhythm as the tournament progresses. He is now set to face 20th-seeded American Tommy Paul, who earned his spot in the fourth round after a grueling five-set victory against Alexander Bublik.
On the women's side, world number one Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant run with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Kamilla Rakhimova. Sabalenka displayed formidable power, hitting 29 winners and 10 aces while avoiding any break points against her serve. The Belarusian remains focused on defending her title, a requirement if she hopes to maintain her top ranking in the sport.
Despite her success, Sabalenka encountered an unusual distraction during the match. She voiced concerns regarding the scent of marijuana wafting from the spectator stands, noting that it created a difficult environment for maintaining focus during high-stakes competition. She is scheduled to face American Taylor Townsend in the next round, who advanced after a hard-fought three-set win against Diana Shnaider.
The evening session at the US Open drew significant attention as tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams reunited for a Grand Slam doubles match for the first time since 2022. The return of the iconic duo followed Serena’s recent emergence from a four-year retirement to compete at Wimbledon. The atmosphere in New York was electric, with fans eager to witness the pair who have historically dominated the doubles circuit with 14 Grand Slam titles and three Olympic gold medals.
The match turned into a dramatic three-hour thriller against their opponents, Chan and Joint. After dropping the opening set, the Williams sisters rallied to take the second set in a tie-break, showcasing flashes of the brilliance that defined their careers. The crowd's support appeared to give them a significant advantage as they surged to an early 5-0 lead in the final set tie-break.
However, the momentum shifted as Chan and Joint mounted a remarkable comeback, erasing the deficit and eventually clinching the victory with a 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (10/7) scoreline. While the result was disappointing for the home crowd, the match served as a poignant reminder of the sisters' enduring influence on the sport and their ability to draw massive fan engagement.
The tournament draw saw several other significant developments on the singles courts. Jessica Pegula, a top-seeded American contender, survived a challenging match against Leylah Fernandez, recovering from a one-set deficit to advance 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. Meanwhile, Emma Navarro secured an upset victory over seventh-seeded Karolina Muchova, while Marta Kostyuk moved forward after defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets.
In the men’s draw, American Frances Tiafoe demonstrated strong form with a comfortable victory over Valentin Vacherot, setting up a high-profile showdown with seventh-seeded Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev, who performed efficiently to dismantle Arthur Rinderknech, remains a formidable obstacle for any opponent in the draw. The upcoming matches promise to test the endurance and skill of the remaining players as they vie for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Stefanos Tsitsipas also made headlines is world ranking, the former world number three rallied to win in four sets, marking his first appearance in the US Open fourth round. He is now slated to face American Ben Shelton, who advanced after a long and competitive match against Denis Shapovalov, further highlighting the depth of talent currently competing in the tournament.