New York, USA – Day 3 of the US Open was a tale of two top seeds, as Carlos Alcaraz delivered a blistering performance to reach the third round, while Novak Djokovic was forced to fight back from a set down to advance. The Wednesday action also featured a mix of key victories and a fiery on-court confrontation in the women’s draw.
Top Seeds Advance in Men’s Singles
Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish second seed, demonstrated his dominant form with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 victory over Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in just 96 minutes. Alcaraz was in total control on Arthur Ashe Stadium, firing off 32 winners in a performance that keeps him on a potential collision course with Djokovic in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic kept his dream of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title alive, but not without a challenge. The Serbian legend was forced to dig deep after dropping the first set to American qualifier Zachary Svajda, before ultimately securing a 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win. The victory sees Djokovic reach the third round at the US Open for a record-equalling 19th time, where he will face Britain’s Cameron Norrie.
In other men’s matches, fourth seed Taylor Fritz and 17th seed Frances Tiafoe both safely advanced, while 2022 US Open finalist Casper Ruud was upset in a five-set thriller by Belgium’s Raphael Collignon, losing 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Sabalenka, Raducanu Progress in Women’s Draw
Defending champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka moved into the next round with a workmanlike 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 victory over unseeded Russian Polina Kudermetova. After a slow start, Sabalenka asserted her control after taking the first set tie-break. She will next play Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.
Britain’s Emma Raducanu also continued her strong start to the tournament, comfortably dispatching Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-1. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is aiming to recapture her title and will face ninth seed Elena Rybakina in the next round.
Elsewhere, fourth seed Jessica Pegula and veteran Victoria Azarenka also secured straight-sets victories.
“No Class” Rant and Early Exits
The day’s most dramatic moment came in the match between Latvia’s 25th seed Jelena Ostapenko and American Taylor Townsend. After Townsend pulled off a dominant 7-5, 6-1 upset, an incensed Ostapenko unleashed a furious tirade, accusing her opponent of lacking “class” for not acknowledging a net cord in her favor.
The tournament also saw the end of the Cinderella runs for two players from Southeast Asia. Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen was beaten by Emma Raducanu, while the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala was defeated 6-4, 6-3 by Spain’s Cristina Bucsa.
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