Defending US Open champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka successfully navigated their way into the tournament’s last 16 on Friday. Alcaraz, who recently returned from a four-month injury layoff, maintained his momentum by defeating China’s Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. Meanwhile, world number one Sabalenka delivered a commanding 6-3, 6-4 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova.
Reflecting on his win, Alcaraz praised his opponent’s challenging style, noting, “The way he plays is unbelievable, the rhythm he has on every shot — forehand, backhand.” He added that the skidding nature of Wu’s shots made control difficult, but he remained aggressive and smart during crucial moments. The Spaniard is now set to face 20th-seeded American Tommy Paul, who advanced after a five-set battle against Alexander Bublik, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-3.
Sabalenka’s path to the fourth round saw her fire 29 winners and 10 aces without facing a single break point. Despite the scoreline, she faced a spirited challenge from the 92nd-ranked Rakhimova. During the match, Sabalenka expressed frustration to the umpire regarding the persistent smell of marijuana in the stands, describing it as a distraction while competing at the highest level. She will next meet American Taylor Townsend, who defeated Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3.
In other women’s singles action, third-seeded American Jessica Pegula overcame a slow start to defeat former finalist Leylah Fernandez 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. Elsewhere, Marta Kostyuk secured a 6-3, 6-2 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova, and Emma Navarro upset the seventh-seeded Karolina Muchova with a 6-3, 7-5 victory.
The men’s draw saw 11th-seeded Frances Tiafoe cruise past Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Tiafoe’s victory sets up a high-profile fourth-round clash against Russian seventh seed Daniil Medvedev, who dispatched Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in under two hours.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, currently ranked 53rd, achieved a significant milestone by reaching the US Open fourth round for the first time. The unseeded former world number three overcame 18th seed Jiri Lehecka with a 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 comeback win. Tsitsipas is scheduled to face American eighth seed Ben Shelton, who outlasted Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4 in a late-night encounter. The report also notes that for me, it’s really difficult to control sometimes, his balls skid a lot on the court and. 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 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.
