Quarterfinal places are at stake today at Flushing Meadows, where Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz are both looking to extend their runs. The top seeds face pressure to keep their Grand Slam campaigns alive in a tournament already marked by upsets and long matches.
Sabalenka opens the day session against Taylor Townsend, aiming to maintain her strong form after a consistent season. In 2023, she reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single season for the first time in her career. Alcaraz, coming off his Australian Open win and a return from injury, faces Tommy Paul. It will be their ninth meeting. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head, though Paul won their last match at the 2023 Canadian Open.
Tonight, Ben Shelton meets Stefanos Tsitsipas. Eighth-seeded Shelton takes on the two-time Slam finalist in a match that could shake up the men's draw. Jessica Pegula, ranked third, and eleventh-seeded Frances Tiafoe are also in action, each hoping to reach the final rounds.
The women's draw remains unpredictable. Marta Kostyuk plays Linda Nosková, while Anna Kalinskaya faces Emma Navarro in a late match. Pegula's meeting with Sorana Cîrstea is scheduled for late afternoon and could give the American another tough test.
Yesterday's results showed just how unpredictable this year's tournament has been. Learner Tien won a five-set match against Jakub Menšík. Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff both advanced to the last 16. Naomi Osaka edged out Elise Mertens in three sets, while Alexander Zverev beat Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets. Iga Świątek defeated Marie Bouzková, and Zheng Qinwen came back to eliminate Madison Keys. Taylor Fritz lost in five sets to Francisco Cerundolo, while Mirra Andreeva moved on to the round of 16. The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) says the number of five-set matches in the early stages of this year's US Open reached a five-year high, reflecting greater competition and players' endurance.
Alcaraz's return has drawn close attention since his Australian Open win, which completed his career Grand Slam. He missed the French Open and Wimbledon due to injury, giving Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner a chance to win major titles. Zverev, who won his first Slam at Roland Garros, has already played two five-set matches in New York. Sinner is out of the US Open with a knee injury.
For those following the tournament, recent coverage has tracked Alcaraz's previous wins over Paul and the shifting picture among the top seeds. The current round of 16 is a turning point, with every match carrying the potential to upset the favorites.
Broadcasts begin at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN and continue on ABC from 3 to 6 p.m. ET. Fubo carries the streaming coverage. The Tennis Podcast offers further analysis of the day's matches.
