With the third round beginning Thursday, the stage is set for blockbuster clashes...
Day 4 of the US Open has produced a mix of expected results and shocking exits, as top seeds moved on while Casper Ruud and other notable names bowed out early.
Second seed Novak Djokovic recovered from a first-set slip to overcome American qualifier Zachary Svajda 6–7, 6–3, 6–3, 6–1. The Serbian star, chasing a 25th Grand Slam title, showed his trademark resilience under the Arthur Ashe lights.
Third seed Carlos Alcaraz barely broke a sweat in his straight-sets demolition of Italy’s Mattia Bellucci, 6–1, 6–0, 6–3, further establishing himself as one of the clear favourites in New York.
Top women’s seed Aryna Sabalenka extended her winning streak with a 7–6, 6–2 victory over Russia’s Polina Kudermetova, keeping her title defence hopes firmly alive.
But while the favourites marched on, Casper Ruud suffered the shock of the day. The 12th seed from Norway was sent packing by Belgian qualifier Raphaël Collignon in a five-set thriller, 6–4, 3–6, 3–6, 6–4, 7–5.
Elsewhere, Britain’s Emma Raducanu impressed with a commanding 6–2, 6–1 win over Janice Tjen, while American Emma Navarro thrilled home fans with a 6–2, 6–1 triumph over Caty McNally.
Australian qualifier Pricilia Hon added to the upsets, knocking out 17th seed Liudmila Samsonova 4–6, 6–3, 6–2.
With the third round beginning Thursday, the stage is set for blockbuster clashes as Djokovic, Alcaraz, Sabalenka and other top contenders aim to keep their championship hopes alive.
