New York (U.S.), Aug. 29, 2025 (Reuters/NAN) Second seed Carlos Alcaraz and American Jessica Pegula advanced in dominant fashion, while Britain’s Emma Raducanu exited the U.S. Open in the third round on Friday.
Alcaraz, 2022 champion and winner of six ATP titles this year, defeated Italy’s Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-4, 6-0, overcoming a minor right knee issue in the process.
The Spaniard took a medical timeout during the second set but returned strongly, committing just two unforced errors in a rapid final set.
Alcaraz next faces France’s Arthur Rinderknech in the fourth round as he chases a second U.S. Open crown.
In the women’s draw, fourth seed Jessica Pegula overcame Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 7-5 to continue her strong form at Flushing Meadows.
Former champion Raducanu’s campaign ended with a 6-1, 6-2 defeat to ninth seed Elena Rybakina on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Raducanu, who has struggled since her 2021 triumph, reached the third round for the first time in four years but was overwhelmed by Rybakina’s power.
The Brit said she would focus on recent progress rather than the result, acknowledging her improvement in recent weeks.
“A match like that can get you down,” she said. “But I’ll try not to let it.”
Rybakina, 2022 Wimbledon champion, moved into the U.S. Open fourth round for the first time and faces Czech Marketa Vondrousova next.
Vondrousova, last year’s Wimbledon winner, ousted seventh seed Jasmine Paolini 7-6(4), 6-1 to reach the last 16.
Novak Djokovic plays Britain’s Cameron Norrie later on Friday, seeking a 25th Grand Slam title and seventh straight win over the 35th-ranked left-hander.
Djokovic, 38, has not reached a major final since winning the U.S. Open in 2023 and admits to a dip in motivation.
Teen fifth seed Mirra Andreeva faces American Taylor Townsend in the final match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Also in action is defending champion and world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who faces Canada’s 31st seed Leylah Fernandez.
Fernandez beat Sabalenka en route to the 2021 final and hopes to replicate that result in their highly anticipated rematch.
American fourth seed Taylor Fritz meets Swiss qualifier Jerome Kym in another third-round encounter. (Reuters/NAN)
