Alcaraz and Sabalenka advance as Williams sisters fall at US Open

Carlos Alcaraz returned from a four‑month injury layoff to defeat China's Wu Yibing 6‑3, 6‑4, 6‑1, securing a place in the fourth round of the US Open. In the women's draw, world number one Aryna Sabalenka overwhelmed Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova 6‑3, 6‑4, without facing a single break point.

The way he plays is unbelievable, the rhythm he has on every shot, forehand, backhand,

Alcaraz said the Chinese opponent’s low‑bouncing balls made the match tricky, but he stayed aggressive and “played smart in the toughest moments”. Wu managed an early break in each of the first two sets, yet Alcaraz broke back late and closed out the match after saving two break points at the start of the third set.

What the wins mean for the draw

Alcaraz’s victory sets up a clash with 20th‑seeded American Tommy Paul, who edged past 15th‑seed Alexander Bublik in a five‑set thriller. Sabalenka’s next opponent is American Taylor Townsend, ranked 96th after a win over 15th‑seed Russian Diana Shnaider.

In doubles, the iconic Serena and Venus Williams made a rare appearance together for the first time since 2022, only to be beaten 6‑3, 6‑7 (6‑8), 7‑6 (10‑7) by the 14th‑seeded pair of Maya Joint and Chan Hao‑ching. The match stretched to three hours, with the Williams sisters briefly rallying from a set down before the Taiwanese‑Australian duo clinched the decider.

Other notable results

American third‑seed Jessica Pegula survived a comeback from Canadian Leylah Fernandez, winning 1‑6, 6‑4, 6‑3. Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk beat Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6‑3, 6‑2, while American Emma Navarro upset seventh‑seed Czech Karolina Muchova 6‑3, 7‑5.

On the men’s side, 11th‑seed Frances Tiafoe dispatched Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot 6‑4, 6‑2, 6‑4 and will meet Russian seventh‑seed Daniil Medvedev, who beat French 26th‑seed Arthur Rinderknech in straight sets. Former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas, now ranked 53, overcame 18th‑seed Jiri Lehecka to reach his first US Open fourth round.

Looking ahead, the tournament’s second week will see a tightening of the field as the top seeds converge. Alcaraz and Sabalenka both need to maintain their form to stay on course for a potential showdown in the later stages, while the Williams sisters will have to regroup after an unexpected early exit.