Alcaraz Sabalenka US Open Runs Continue Into Round Three
Both defending champions are still standing at Flushing Meadows. Alcaraz Sabalenka US Open progress continued Wednesday as Carlos Alcaraz survived a shaky start to beat Portugal’s Jaime Faria, while Aryna Sabalenka dominated from the opening point to see off Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko, sending both top seeds into the third round of the 2026 US Open.
The results came during a night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium that also featured wins for Ben Shelton, Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, and Frances Tiafoe, as organizers worked through a backlog of matches following earlier rain delays at the tournament.
Alcaraz Overcomes Slow Start in Injury Comeback
Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed, dropped the opening set before storming back to win 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 against the 72nd-ranked Faria. It was a far from straightforward evening for the Spaniard, who is playing his first tournament since a wrist injury forced him out of action in April — a layoff that cost him appearances at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Alcaraz was candid about his early struggles after the match. “Tough match for me,” he said, explaining that after failing to convert an early break point, he briefly lost his composure. “After that I was in a rush. I didn’t take time, I wasn’t patient and that obviously cost me the break,” he said, adding that he tried to stay calm and trusted that “good things are going to happen again.”
Once he settled, Alcaraz was overwhelming, winning 12 straight games across the second and third sets before closing out the match. The performance eased lingering questions about his fitness following the injury layoff — questions that had persisted since he arrived at the tournament having won his seventh major title back in January at the Australian Open.
Sabalenka Cruises Toward a Rare Three-Peat Bid
On the women’s side, Sabalenka was in complete control throughout her match, dropping just four points on serve in the opening set en route to a 6-1, 6-1 victory that lasted only 53 minutes. The Belarusian world No. 1 is chasing a rare US Open three-peat, having won the title in each of the previous two years.
“Happy with the level I played today, happy with the focus,” Sabalenka said afterward. She has been without a title since an impressive Indian Wells-Miami double back in March, making this deep US Open run an important marker as she looks to close out the season strongly.
Sabalenka will next face Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova for a place in the fourth round.
Other Contenders Advance
Jessica Pegula also moved through in efficient fashion, needing just 56 minutes to beat fellow American and former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, now ranked 110th in the world, 6-3, 6-1. Pegula, the 2024 US Open runner-up and one of several players who could challenge Sabalenka for the world No. 1 ranking in New York, dropped just seven points on her own serve during the win. She next faces Canadian Leylah Fernandez, another former US Open finalist, who beat Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4, 6-1.
Former champion Daniil Medvedev also advanced, downing American wild card Sebastian Gorzny 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 despite having struggled through the hard-court build-up to the year’s final Grand Slam.
Djokovic’s Absence Opens the Draw
Wednesday’s results came against the backdrop of Novak Djokovic’s stunning first-round exit earlier in the tournament, which has significantly opened up the bottom half of the men’s draw. With the No. 4 seed no longer in the mix, American Alex Michelsen took advantage by upsetting Brandon Nakashima to reach a career-best third round at the US Open, joining a cluster of players now eyeing a rare opportunity for a deep run.
What to Watch Next
With both Alcaraz and Sabalenka safely through, attention now shifts to whether either can carry their form deep into the second week. Alcaraz’s continued recovery from his wrist injury remains the primary storyline to track on the men’s side, while Sabalenka’s bid for a historic third consecutive US Open title continues to build momentum heading into the tournament’s second week.
FAQ Section
Q: Did Carlos Alcaraz win his US Open second-round match?
A: Yes, Alcaraz defeated Jaime Faria 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 after dropping the opening set.
Q: Why was Alcaraz’s fitness in question before this tournament?
A: Alcaraz suffered a wrist injury in April that forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon earlier in 2026.
Q: Who is Aryna Sabalenka playing next at the US Open?
A: Sabalenka will face Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round.
Q: Is Aryna Sabalenka chasing a title three-peat?
A: Yes, Sabalenka has won the US Open in each of the previous two years and is looking to complete a rare three-peat in 2026.
Q: How did Novak Djokovic’s exit affect the draw?
A: With the No. 4 seed eliminated in the first round, the bottom half of the men’s draw opened up considerably, benefiting players like American Alex Michelsen.
