Defending US Open singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka both advanced to the tournament’s last 16 on Friday. Alcaraz, returning to competition after a four-month injury layoff, defeated China’s Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. Sabalenka matched that intensity, securing a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova.
Reflecting on his match against Wu, Alcaraz praised his opponent’s technical ability. “The way he plays is unbelievable, the rhythm he has on every shot — forehand, backhand,” he said. “His balls skid a lot on the court and, for me, it’s really difficult to control sometimes.” Despite the challenge, Alcaraz noted he stayed aggressive and played smart during critical moments. He will now face 20th-seeded American Tommy Paul, who advanced by defeating Alexander Bublik 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-3.
World number one Sabalenka remained focused during her win, firing 10 aces and 29 winners without facing a single break point. However, the match was not without distraction; the Belarusian expressed frustration regarding the smell of marijuana wafting from the stands, an issue she raised with the umpire. She is set to meet American Taylor Townsend, who overcame 15th-seeded Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, in the next round.
In other women’s draw action, third-seeded Jessica Pegula staged a comeback to beat Leylah Fernandez 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. Marta Kostyuk also moved forward with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova, while Emma Navarro upset seventh-seeded Karolina Muchova 6-3, 7-5.
The men’s draw saw 11th-seeded American Frances Tiafoe cruise past Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Tiafoe’s victory sets up a high-profile fourth-round clash against seventh-seeded Daniil Medvedev, who defeated Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in under two hours.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, currently ranked 53rd, continued his progress by toppling 18th seed Jiri Lehecka 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1. This marks the first time the former world number three has reached the fourth round at the US Open. Tsitsipas will face eighth-seeded American Ben Shelton, who secured his spot by outlasting Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4. The report also notes that but Alcaraz pocketed both with breaks in the final games and after saving a pair of break points in the first game of the third the Spaniard rolled home, i played smart in the toughest moments.” Wu recovered an early break in each of the first two sets. The report also notes that i think my level is really good,” he said. The report also notes that the numbers didn’t tell the whole tale of a match that saw 92nd-ranked Rakhimova challenge Sabalenka in a second-set slugfest. The report also notes that it’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best,” said Sabalenka, who at one point complained to the umpire about the issue. The report also notes that 1 perch, mounted a desperate fightback to beat Canadian Leylah Fernandez 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a battle of former finalists. The report also notes that back in the men’s draw, American 11th seed Frances Tiafoe was a comfortable 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 victor over Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot, seeded 22.
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