New York (U.S.), Aug. 28, 2025 (Reuters/NAN) Novak Djokovic came from one set down to beat American qualifier, Zachary Svajda, while Emma Raducanu eased into the U.S. Open third round on Wednesday.
Djokovic made 14 unforced errors in the opening set but settled down to win 6-7(5) 6-3 6-3 6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Svajda, who joked online about his long odds before the match, impressed early but was slowed by a leg injury midway through.
Djokovic will face Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the third round as he targets a 25th Grand Slam title.
American fourth seed Jessica Pegula had a straightforward 6-1 6-3 win over Russia’s Anna Blinkova and now meets Victoria Azarenka.
Azarenka beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3 6-3 and became the fifth woman in the Open Era to reach 100 main-draw wins at hardcourt majors.
Raducanu needed only an hour to defeat Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen 6-2 6-1 in the first match on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
It was Raducanu’s first U.S. Open win since her stunning 2021 title run and she made just eight unforced errors.
“I’m pleased with how I kept dictating the points,” she said. “My opponent was very dangerous and playing good tennis.”
Raducanu will face ninth seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the third round as she seeks another deep run.
British men’s player Jack Draper withdrew from the tournament due to injury, ending his U.S. Open campaign early.
American fourth seed Taylor Fritz overcame South Africa’s Lloyd Harris 4-6 7-6(3) 6-2 6-4 to move into the third round.
Fritz will next face Swiss qualifier Jerome Kym and is among America’s top hopes to end a 22-year home men’s title drought.
Frances Tiafoe joined Fritz in the third round after beating fellow American qualifier Martin Damm 6-4 7-5 6-7(8) 7-5.
“You’ve got to be brave, courageous — there’s no free lunches out here,” said Tiafoe, a two-time semi-finalist in New York.
American 10th seed Emma Navarro thrashed fellow American Caty McNally 6-2 6-1 to continue her strong run in the draw.
Norwegian 12th seed and 2022 finalist Casper Ruud crashed out after a five-set loss to Belgian qualifier Raphael Collignon.
Collignon won 6-4 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-5 in a major upset on Court 5.
World number two, Carlos Alcaraz, headlines the night session on Ashe after a quick win over Reilly Opelka in the first round.
Alcaraz, sporting a buzz cut, meets Italy’s Mattia Bellucci following his Cincinnati Masters title earlier this month.
Defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka, also plays under the lights, taking on Polina Kudermetova in her quest for a second U.S. Open title.
Sabalenka has reached all three Grand Slam finals this year but has yet to win a major in 2025.
Italian seventh seed, Jasmine Paolini, begins the night session at Louis Armstrong Stadium against American Iva Jovic.
She will be followed by U.S. men’s hopeful Ben Shelton, who faces Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta. (Reuters/NAN)
