DEFENDING men’s US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated Britain’s Daniel Evans while women’s second seed Aryna Sabalenka eased past France’s Clara Burel to move into the fourth round in New York.
Men’s third seed Daniil Medvedev also advanced, beating in-form Sebastian Baez 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 in the early hours of today to end the Argentine’s 12-match winning streak.
Also overnight, Tunisian fifth seed Ons Jabeur survived a tough test at the Arthur Ashe Stadium to scrape a 5-7, 7-6, 6-3 win over Czech Marie Bouzkova.
Battling respiratory issues, Jabeur had complained she did not feel too well during her first two matches but came back from the brink in a three-hour thriller this morning to hold off Bouzkova, who also had fitness issues, with a heavily strapped groin.
Against the 26th seeded Evans, 20-year-old Spaniard Alcaraz needed four sets to eke out a 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win.
Jack Draper prevented a third round wipeout for British players following Evans’ ouster with a 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win over American wild card Michael Mmoh, who has Nigerian heritage.
Top seeded Briton, number 16 Cameron Norrie, was beaten 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 by Italian Matteo Arnaldi while American Peyton Stearns pushed the last British woman Katie Boulter to the exit with a 6-4 6-3 victory.
In contrast to the British woes it was another bright day for the home fans as third seed Jessica Pegula led another American push into the last 16, stopping Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-4 4-6 6-2.
In other matches last night/early today, sixth seed Jannik Sinner stopped 2017 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 to set up an intriguing fourth round meeting with 12th seeded German Alexander Zverev, who was a 6-7, 7-6, 6-1 6-1 winner over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.
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