Alcaraz and Sabalenka advance, while Jódar crashes out at the US Open

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka kept their US Open campaigns on course, but Rafa Jódar’s New York adventure ended abruptly in his opening match.

Alcaraz, the world No. 3 and defending champion, recovered from losing the first set to Portugal’s Jaime Faria, ranked 72nd, to win 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in two hours and 40 minutes. The set marked the first one Alcaraz had dropped in New York since 2024, but his response was immediate and emphatic.

Sabalenka, the top seed, faced fewer difficulties. She defeated Russia’s Polina Iatcenko, ranked 160th, 6-1, 6-1 in 53 minutes. The Belarusian is seeking a third consecutive title in New York while also trying to protect the world No. 1 ranking she has held for 98 straight weeks. Her battle with Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, however, is no longer entirely in her hands.

There were no major surprises among the leading names. Daniil Medvedev, Ben Shelton, Jessica Pegula, Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova all reached the third round. The biggest upset came against Jódar, the Spanish No. 13 seed, who lost 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 to Bu Yunchaokete. The Chinese player entered the main draw as a lucky loser and had not won an ATP match all year.

Paula Badosa completed a rain-delayed first-round win over sixth-seeded Australian Daria Kasatkina, converting her ninth match point to win 6-1, 6-4. She will face fourth-seeded American Coco Gauff in the night session. Daniel Mérida beat Andrey Rublev, while Argentina’s Mariano Navone followed his opening-day victory over Novak Djokovic by defeating Matteo Berrettini. Peru’s Ignacio Buse also earned his first New York win, 68 years after his grandfather Eduardo won his last match at the tournament in 1958.