Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka underlined their championship credentials at the US Open on Friday, as the Spanish world No. 2 stormed into the men’s fourth round and the top-ranked Belarusian extended
her remarkable tie-break streak to reach the last 16 in the women’s draw.
Spaniard Alcaraz dismissed Italy’s Luciano Darderi, the 32nd seed, in emphatic fashion on Arthur Ashe Stadium, winning 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in just one hour and 44 minutes. Alcaraz, the 2022 champion in New York, never allowed Darderi to settle, dictating with relentless aggression and court coverage.
The victory sets up a Sunday showdown with France’s Arthur Rinderknech, who advanced after defeating compatriot Benjamin Bonzi 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
Alcaraz briefly caused concern when he called for a medical timeout at 5-4 in the second set to receive treatment on his right knee. However, he later reassured fans and reporters that there was no cause for alarm.
Shelton’s heartbreak as injury ends run
While Alcaraz pushed through his minor scare, American Ben Shelton’s tournament ended in tears. The 22-year-old, known for his booming serve and fearless shot-making, was forced to retire during his third-round clash with France’s Adrian Mannarino due to a painful shoulder injury.
Shelton, a semifinalist at Flushing Meadows in 2023, looked on course for another deep run after taking a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 lead. Early in the fourth, however, he grimaced in pain while serving and called for a medical timeout.
Despite attempting to continue, Shelton’s shoulder limited his power and consistency. Mannarino leveled the match by taking the fourth set, prompting Shelton to concede the contest and leave Louis Armstrong Stadium in tears.
Tiafoe falls to Struff
The disappointment for American fans deepened when Frances Tiafoe, the 17th seed, bowed out to German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff. Tiafoe, who reached the semifinals in New York in 2022, fell 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7). Struff’s heavy serve and aggressive baseline play proved decisive in the straight-sets victory, sending the 34-year-old into the next round.
Meanwhile, Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka continued his strong form, cruising past Belgium’s Raphael Collignon 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to secure his place in the last 16.
Sabalenka extends tie-break dominance, ousts Fernandez
In the women’s draw, world number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round with a blend of power and resilience, extending her extraordinary tie-break streak while ousting Canadian Leylah Fernandez.
The reigning champion prevailed 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) on Louis Armstrong Stadium in one hour and 39 minutes, sealing her 18th consecutive tie-break victory in the process.
For Sabalenka, the result carried added meaning. Fernandez had stunned her in the 2021 US Open semifinals, launching the Canadian teenager onto the global stage.
Pegula advances, Mertens stunned
Elsewhere, American fourth seed Jessica Pegula booked her spot in the round of 16 with a composed 6-1, 7-5 win over two-time major champion Victoria Azarenka. Pegula, who has been one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour, will face compatriot Ann Li in the next round, guaranteeing at least one American presence in the last eight.
Not all seeds survived, however. Belgium’s Elise Mertens, seeded 19 and a two-time US Open quarterfinalist, fell in a surprise three-set defeat to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, who rallied 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 for one of the biggest upsets of the day.
(with agency inputs)
