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🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates /Sports

Defending champions Sabalenka and Alcaraz keep the US Open party going

From Khaleej Times · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the US Open fourth round with straight-set victories.
  • Daniil Medvedev also reached the round of 16 without dropping a set, while Jessica Pegula recovered to beat 2021 finalist Leylah Fernandez.
  • Venus and Serena Williams were scheduled to reunite in the US Open women's doubles night session.

Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz answered doubts about their form with commanding victories at the US Open, keeping the defending champions on course as the tournament reached its fourth round.

Sabalenka arrived in New York under scrutiny after a frustrating slump, but she looked entirely at home against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova. She never faced a break point and hit 10 aces in a 6-3, 6-4 win. Her only major irritation came from the smell of cannabis on court.

I am comfortable here. I love it here. If comparing to the other slams, I feel pretty good on all of them.

· Aryna SabalenkaSabalenka described her comfort at the US Open after defeating Kamilla Rakhimova.

“I am comfortable here. I love it here. If comparing to the other slams, I feel pretty good on all of them,” Sabalenka said. “I just love New York, and probably that makes me feel like home here.” She will face American Taylor Townsend in the round of 16.

I just love New York, and probably that makes me feel like home here.

· Aryna SabalenkaShe explained why she feels especially comfortable playing in New York.

Alcaraz, whose long injury layoff had worried his supporters, produced another showpiece performance at Arthur Ashe Stadium. He beat China's Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 and said he had expected to feel physically exhausted after his opening match. “I’m better than I thought. Physically, I thought I was going to be dead after the first match,” he said. “My level is really high.” He next plays American Tommy Paul.

Former champion Daniil Medvedev stayed unbeaten in New York by beating France's Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Jessica Pegula, the 2024 runner-up, recovered from a dreadful opening set to defeat 2021 finalist Leylah Fernandez 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. Pegula remains among three players with a chance to take the world number one ranking from Sabalenka. Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk also advanced, moving closer to a first WTA Finals appearance.

I’m better than I thought. Physically, I thought I was going to be dead after the first match.

· Carlos AlcarazAlcaraz assessed his fitness after beating Wu Yibing.

The night session was set to bring Venus and Serena Williams back together in Flushing Meadows. The sisters had not been expected to play together again after their 2022 appearance, but reunited in Cincinnati last month and lost their opening match there.

My level is really high.

· Carlos AlcarazAlcaraz described his performance after reaching the fourth round.
About this summary

Originally published by Khaleej Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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