US Open Day 3 highlights

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka notched her 40th win of the season with a 6-3 6-1 victory over Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek. The Belarusian took a hard fall in the opening set and kept icing her right hand and wrist during changeovers.

Earlier, 25th seed Daria Kasatkina rallied from a set down to beat Olympic silver medallist Marketa Vondrousova 3-6 6-4 6-4.

Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, the 12th seed, won a tight opening set against Bernabe Zapata Miralles before finding his rhythm to beat the Spaniard 7-6(5) 6-3 6-2.

World number two and 2019 runner-up Daniil Medvedev reached the third round for the fourth straight year with a comfortable 6-4 6-1 6-2 victory over unseeded German Dominik Koepfer.

Fifth seed and former quarter-finalist Andrey Rublev of Russia moved into the third round for the fourth time in five years with a 7-6(2) 6-7(5) 6-1 6-1 win over Spain’s Pedro Martinez.

Three-times U.S. Open runner-up Victoria Azarenka overcame unseeded Italian Jasmine Paolini 6-3 7-6(1) to set up a meeting with Spain’s Garbine Muguruza.

“I think it’s going to be a very difficult match. I think she always plays great here,” Muguruza said after beating Andrea Petkovic.

Australia’s Alexei Popyrin sent 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov crashing out with a 7-6(4) 7-6(4) 4-0 win after the Bulgarian called it quits due to an apparent foot injury.

Fifth seed Elina Svitolina, a semi-finalist two years ago, eased past Spain’s Rebeka Masarova 6-2 7-5. Joining her in the third round was Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, who made short work of Maria Camila Osorio Serrano, winning 6-0 6-1 in 53 minutes.

Belgian 15th seed Elise Mertens earlier powered past Greek opponent Valentini Grammatikopoulou 6-2 6-2.

Former world number one Simona Halep continued her fine form at Flushing Meadows with a convincing 6-3 6-1 win over Kristina Kucova to move into the third round.

Play was halted on the outside courts due to rain.

Two-times Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza powered past Andrea Petkovic 6-4 6-2 to reach the third round and claim a first career win over the German.

Spanish ninth seed Garbine Muguruza began her second-round match against Germany’s Andrea Petkovic at Louis Armstrong Stadium with the temperature hovering around 22 degrees Celsius (71.6°F).

Defending champion Naomi Osaka of Japan progressed to the third round after receiving a walkover from Serbia’s Olga Danilovic due to illness.

“I have been feeling unwell these past few days dealing with a non-Covid related viral illness. I was really looking forward to playing against Naomi on Arthur Ashe Stadium today, but not to be this time,” wrote Danilovic on social media.

REUTERS