Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the last 16 of the US Open as tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams faced a disappointing start to their Grand Slam doubles partnership.
Alcaraz, returning from a four-month injury layoff, defeated China’s Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 to secure his spot in the fourth round. Sabalenka also progressed comfortably, overcoming Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4.
Alcaraz will next face 20th-seeded American Tommy Paul, who advanced after a hard-fought victory over 15th-seeded Alexander Bublik 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(4/7), 6-1, 6-3.
“The way he plays is unbelievable, the rhythm he has on every shot – forehand, backhand,” Alcaraz commented on his opponent Wu. “His balls skid a lot on the court and, for me, it’s really difficult to control sometimes.
“But I think I stayed there. I played aggressive. I played smart in the toughest moments.”
Wu managed to recover an early break in each of the first two sets, but Alcaraz claimed both with late breaks, and after saving two break points in the opening game of the third, the Spaniard finished strongly.
“I think my level is really good,” he said. “I’ve got into the rhythm of the competition. I’m getting there.”
World number one Sabalenka didn’t face a single break point in her match against Rakhimova, hitting 29 winners and 10 aces.
However, the statistics didn’t fully capture a competitive contest that featured a second-set slugfest with 92nd-ranked Rakhimova.
Sabalenka also expressed frustration with the persistent smell of marijuana drifting from the stands during her match – an ongoing concern at the US Open.
“It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best,” Sabalenka noted, mentioning she had raised the issue with the umpire during the match.
The Belarusian, who must defend her title to maintain her number one ranking, will face Taylor Townsend next, the 96th-ranked American who upset 15th-seeded Russian Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-7(3/7), 6-3.
Williams Sisters Fall Short in Doubles Comeback
With Alcaraz and Sabalenka among the early starters, attention turned to the Williams sisters in the evening session as they partnered for a Grand Slam doubles event for the first time since 2022.
Their return to the US Open came after 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena ended her four-year retirement to compete at Wimbledon earlier this year.
However, the most celebrated sister duo in tennis history – winners of 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals – were defeated 6-3, 6-7(6/8), 7-6(10/7) by 14th seeds Chan Hao-ching of Taiwan and Australia’s Maya Joint following a grueling three-hour battle.
The Williams pair displayed moments of brilliance after rallying from a set down to level the match by taking the second set tie-break.
Momentum and enthusiastic New York crowd seemed to favor them as they built a 5-0 lead in the third-set tie-break. But Chan and Joint mounted a remarkable comeback to erase the deficit and ultimately claim victory.
Pegula Through, Muchova Upset
In other singles action on Friday, third-seeded American Jessica Pegula made a determined comeback to defeat Canadian Leylah Fernandez 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a battle between former finalists.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk overcame Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-2, and American Emma Navarro caused a significant upset by defeating seventh-seeded Czech Karolina Muchova 6-3, 7-5.
In the men’s draw, American 11th seed Frances Tiafoe dominated Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
Tiafoe’s win set up a last 16 clash with Russian seventh seed Daniil Medvedev.
Medvedev advanced equally convincingly over French 26th seed Arthur Rinderknech, winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in just under two hours.
Unseeded former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas – whose ranking has dropped to 53 – upset 18th seed Jiri Lehecka 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(7/3), 6-1 to reach the US Open fourth round for the first time.
Tsitsipas will face American eighth seed Ben Shelton in the last 16 after Shelton defeated Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 7-6(7/3), 6-7(5/7), 6-3, 6-4 in the late match.
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