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Upsets Reshape US Open Draw as Sabalenka and Alcaraz Move Into Last 16

Surprise exits, late five-setters and schedule compression leave the draw stretched, creating new routes into the tournament's second week.

Overview

  • Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to reach the last 16 and keep her bid for a third straight US Open alive.
  • Defending men's champion Carlos Alcaraz advanced in straight sets to the fourth round as he works back from a four-month wrist layoff.
  • Alexander Zverev survived another five-set thriller but has already logged more than nine hours on court across two matches, raising clear questions about his fitness for deeper rounds.
  • A string of shock exits on Saturday removed key seeds — including Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova — while qualifier Zheng Qinwen mounted a comeback from 0-5 in the final set to reach the fourth round.
  • Serena and Venus Williams drew a big crowd in their doubles return but lost a tight three-set match, and the earlier rain-driven roof closures that produced many late matches have left the second-week draw noticeably more unpredictable.