Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka showcased their dominance on Friday as they both advanced to the last 16 of the US Open. Their victories came amidst a dramatic return for tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams, who faced a heartbreaking loss in their doubles match.
Alcaraz, who returned to competitive play after a four-month injury hiatus, displayed impressive form, defeating Wu Yibing of China with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. The Spaniard's performance was marked by his aggressive play and strategic shot selection, particularly in crucial moments. "The way he plays is unbelievable, the rhythm he has on every shot -- forehand, backhand," Alcaraz remarked about Wu. Despite facing early breaks in both of the first two sets, Alcaraz managed to break back and maintain control, ultimately rolling through the third set. "I think my level is really good. I’ve got into the rhythm of the competition. I’m getting there," he added, indicating his confidence as he progresses in the tournament.
Next, Alcaraz will face 20th-seeded American Tommy Paul, who triumphed over 15th-seeded Alexander Bublik in a five-set battle, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-3. This upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter as both players vie for a spot in the quarter-finals.
On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka, currently the world number one, also advanced with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory against Kamilla Rakhimova. Sabalenka's performance was highlighted by her powerful serve, which included 10 aces and 29 winners, and she notably did not face a single break point throughout the match. However, the match was not without its distractions; Sabalenka expressed her frustration over the smell of marijuana wafting from the stands, which she found challenging during her performance. "It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best," she noted, even bringing the issue to the umpire's attention.
Sabalenka's next challenge will come against Taylor Townsend, who is ranked 96th and recently defeated 15th-seeded Diana Shnaider in a hard-fought three-set match. As Sabalenka aims to defend her title and maintain her number one ranking, this match will be critical for her tournament trajectory.
The evening session, however, was dominated by the return of the Williams sisters to Grand Slam doubles competition for the first time since 2022. The iconic duo, who have collectively won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, faced off against the 14th-seeded pair of Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint. In a thrilling encounter that lasted over three hours, the Williams sisters fought valiantly but ultimately lost 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (10/7). After dropping the first set, they rallied to take the second in a tie-break, and even surged to a 5-0 lead in the third-set tie-break, but were unable to close out the match as their opponents mounted a remarkable comeback.
In other notable matches, third-seeded Jessica Pegula overcame a tough challenge from Leylah Fernandez, winning 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. Meanwhile, unseeded Stefanos Tsitsipas, a former world number three, defeated 18th seed Jiri Lehecka to reach the fourth round for the first time in this tournament. Tsitsipas will now face eighth-seeded Ben Shelton, who also advanced after a four-set victory over Denis Shapovalov.
Leave a Comment