Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic came closer to a semi -final on the US Open on Friday (August 29, 2025) when Aryna Sabalenka threw the memory of a bitter defeat to beat the last 16.
The Spanish second seed Alcaraz and Serbian legend Djokovic both booked their passage to the last 16 with comfortable victories and are now only two victories away from the meeting in the last four.
After a emphatic way, Alcaraz was passed by the Italian 32nd seed Luciano Darderi and won 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium while Djokovic, who chases a record 25th Grand Slam Singles title, took care of the British cam norrie 6-4, 6-3.
The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz is celebrating his third round game against Luciano Darderi from Italy | Photocredit: Reuters
Alcaraz’s an hour 44-minute victory sends the US Open Champion 2022 to a meeting on Sunday against the France in Arthur Rinder Knech, who beat fellow countryman Benjamin Bonzi 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
The five-fold Grand Slam Singles champion admitted that he had been nervous about opening the game of the day at 11.30 am local time.
“I am not an early morning person, so it’s hard for me to wake up in the morning,” said Alcaraz. “One of the good things today, although I woke up early, did global warming and felt good.”
Alcaraz needed a medical time-out while he led 5-4 in the second set for treatment in his right knee, but later said he had no injury problems.
Djokovic milestone
Djokovic, 38, was now clinically in his victory over Norrie in the evening session, which sends him in a fourth round draw against the German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff.
“If you come into a competition, you really want to win in straight sets without drama, but that is clearly not possible,” said Djokovic after he became the oldest man who has reached the US since Jimmy Connors in 1991.
“It’s good that I am being tested,” he added. “I still try to find my rhythm and my groove on the field.”
Djokovic’s fourth round opponent Struff gave a blow to the American hope for a first home-open champion since 2003 with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) defeat of the popular 17th Seed Frances Tiafoe.
“I don’t know how to recover from this, to be honest with you,” Tiafoe said. “I have not been this very, very long in time.”
Tiafoe’s exit came after another disappointing loss for American fans, with Big-Serving Ben Shelton left in tears from the Louis Armstrong Stadium after being forced to retire after the fourth set against the French veteran Adrian Mannarino.
Shelton, 22, led 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 when he started to feel pain in his left shoulder. He played further but threw in the towel after Mannarino took the fourth set.
“I am not a man who would retire if I could continue,” said a depressed Shelton.
Sabalenka Revenge
Meanwhile, in the ladies’ stretch, world number one and defending champion Sabalenka her 2021 US Open semi -final defeat against Leylah Fernandez with a straight victory over the Canadian 31st seed on Armstrong.
Sabalenka was abandoned degraded after he was upset four years ago by the non -announced Fernandez with a place in what her first Grand Slam final would have been there for the taking.
But the 27-year-old from Belarus ensured that there was no repetition on Friday and Fernandez 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) saw. The victory of Sabalenka saw her her incredible winning series in Tie-Breaks expand to 18.
Aryna Sabalenka from Witarus is celebrating her third round match against Leylah Fernandez from Canada | Photocredit: Reuters
“I wanted this revenge badly,” Sabalenka said afterwards. “It was then a difficult lesson for me. We have never played again since then.
“I just wanted to prove myself that the lesson was taught and that I developed as a player and I could win this victory.”
Sabalenka is facing Spaniard Cristina Bucsa in the next round. Bucsa moved on Friday with an upset 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory over the Belgian 19th Seed Elise Mertens.
Elsewhere, Elena Rybakinak surpassed the Great Britain’s Emma Radcannu and won 6-1, 6-2 to won the last 16 draw by 2023 Wimbledon Champion Marketa Vonthrousova, 7-6 (7/4) Paolini to the last 16 draw against the last 16 draw.
In other women’s matches, the American fourth seed Jessica Pegula comfortably beat Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 7-5 to reach the fourth round, where she is confronted with fellow countryman Ann Li.
Published – August 30, 2025 09:49 is ON
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