Third round singles action begins on Friday in New York, as first round doubles action continues.
On Friday night, two of the biggest stars in the history of the sport, Serena and Venus Williams, will play the US Open together for the first time in four years. In the first round, they face Hao-ching Chan and Maya Joint, with Joint being the player who defeated Serena in her return to the singles court this past July at Wimbledon.
Plus, Day 6 provides plethora of intriguing matchups, as it’s the day seeded players begin to collide in the singles draws. And third round action on Friday is headlined by defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka.
Here’s a rundown of the most notable matches on Day 6 (in chronological order, all times local):
Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Kamilla Rakhimova – 11:00am on Louis Armstrong Stadium
Sabalenka has cruised through the first two rounds, as she vies to reach the second week in 16 out of her last 16 Major appearances. Rakhimova has also advanced in straights, which includes an upset over Barbora Krejcikova. But the 25-year-old is 0-3 against Sabalenka, and the last time they met, Rakhimova only managed to win one game.
Jessica Pegula (3) vs. Leylah Fernandez – 11:30am on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Pegula has also reached the third round quite comfortably, as she eyes her fifth straight appearance in the round of 16 at the US Open. By contrast, it’s been over four years since Fernandez advanced to the second week of a Major. Pegula leads their head-to-head 3-1, which includes a 6-2, 6-2 victory earlier this season in Miami.
Yibing Wu vs. Carlos Alcaraz (2) – Second on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Alcaraz has dropped only one set through two matches, in his first tournament since mid-April. Yibing claimed both of his matches this week in straights to equal his best Major result to date, as the 26-year-old from China has battled both injuries and health issues in recent years. Two years ago in Shanghai, Alcaraz took their only prior encounter in straights.
Emma Navarro (26) vs. Karolina Muchova (7) – Third on Grandstand
This should a fun one, between two of the sport’s most creative players. Muchova has dropped just four games across four sets, while Navarro has already survived a pair of three-setters. This will be their first career meeting.
Serena Williams and Venus Williams (WC) vs. Hao-ching Chan and Maya Joint (14) – Not Before 7:00pm on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Four years ago, Serena and Venus lost in the first round of the US Open, in their only Major appearance as a team within the last 10 years. They also lost in the first round of Cincinnati a few weeks ago. But they are one of the most successful doubles teams of all-time, with a record of 14-0 in Major finals. Hao-ching and Joint are not full-time doubles partners, but they did reach the final of Memphis earlier this summer.
Valentin Vacherot (22) vs. Frances Tiafoe (11) – Not Before 7:00pm on Louis Armstrong Stadium
Tiafoe rebounded well a round after being pushed to five sets, defeating Japanese qualifier Red Sakamoto in straights on Wednesday night. Vacherot of course shocked the tennis world by winning the Shanghai Masters last fall as a qualifier, though this is only his fourth career Major appearance. And the 27-year-old is yet to go farther than this round at a Slam. This will be another first-time meeting.
Ben Shelton (8) vs. Denis Shapovalov – Last on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Shelton has overcome a pretty formidable draw to this stage, winning four-setters against both Tallon Griekspoor and Hubert Hurkacz. Now he faces a fellow lefty, and a fellow Major semifinalist, though Shapovalov has not been the same player in recent years, as he’s suffered multiple injury setbacks. Shelton is a perfect 4-0 against the Canadian, but all their matches have been tight.
Friday’s full Order of Play is here.
