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Noskova and Li each hold serve, meaning the Czech now serves for her first place in the fourth round at the US Open … She leads 6-2, 5-4.
Li holds serve after a little wobble when 30-0 up and she’s making a bit of a fist of this against the Wimbledon champion. Noskova is still a set and a break up after an hour and four minutes. The Czech player leads 4-3 on serve in the second.
As Muchova departs, her conqueror in the Wimbledon final, her “ex-friend”, Linda Noskova is on course to reach the fourth round. She won the first set against Ann Li 6-2 on Stadium 17 and is now a break up at 3-2 in the second.
Emma Navarro (26) beats Karolina Muchova (7) 6-3 7-5
This year’s Wimbledon runner-up fails to make it into the second week at Flushing Meadows. Muchova had reached the quarter-finals at the last three US Opens, including two runs to the semis.
But Navarro is a semi-finalist from 2024 and is rising back up the rankings after a spell off the tour. The American wins the second match point on her serve with a couple of stinging forehands into the corner.
Muchova won the mixed doubles with Jakub Mensik last week, so it’s not all bad.
“Could be better? Yeah,” admits Carlos Alcaraz. “But overall I’m really proud and happy with the performance.”
Today was a really high rhythm. The way he plays is unbelievable, he has really good rhythm. I played aggressive, I played smart – in the toughest moments.
I’m better than I thought. Physically, I thought I was going to be bad after the first match but I’m recovering really well. My level is really good. I’ve got that rhythm of competition.
I just try to improve and be better after every match. Hopefully in the next round, I’m going to be just a bit better than today.
On playing American Tommy Paul in the next round …
He’s going to play at home, which is going to be a little bit of advantage for him. Hopefully he’s going to be a bit tired after today’s match.
Paul, who beat Alexander Bublik in five sets not long ago, has beaten Alcaraz on a hard court a couple of times before.
Carlos Alcaraz (2) beats Wu Yibing 6-3 6-4 6-1
It is still not vintage Alcaraz but he had more than enough to see off the world No 113 in straight sets. The defending champion will play Tommy Paul in the fourth round.
Wu was impressive for most of this match until he was outclassed in the third set. He took a 0-30 lead in the final game against Alcaraz’s serve and missed an overhead on break point. It was Alcaraz’s consistency that won out.
Alcaraz* 6-3 6-4 5-1 Wu (*next server): Alcaraz gets lucky with the net cord again as the ball springs up off the net in front of the Chinese player and his volley goes wide for 30-30. A fizzing crosscourt forehand from Alcaraz brings break point and now he will serve for the match.
Alcaraz 6-3 6-4 4-1 Wu* (*next server): Alcaraz moves to 30-0 with a delightful drop shot that a stooping Wu butts into the net. At 40-15, Wu sends a crosscourt backhand wide and he looks out of ideas.
Alcaraz* 6-3 6-4 3-1 Wu (*next server): Alcaraz breaks! Wu had set up game point at 40-30 with a superb backhand powered into the corner but some wayward hitting into the same corner gives Alcaraz break point. Wu tries the other corner this time and can’t find that either.
Alcaraz 6-3 6-4 2-1 Wu* (*next server): Alcaraz is starting to find his groove again and that is bad news for Wu. It’s a comfortable hold this time that includes some devastating play from the back of the court.
Alcaraz* 6-3 6-4 1-1 Wu (*next server): Alcaraz has to save a couple of break points in the first game of the third set but manages to hold. At 40-15 in his service game, Wu sends Alcaraz scampering across to a serve out wide that he cannot return.
Tommy Paul (20) beats Alexander Bublik (15) 6-4 3-6 6-7 6-1 6-3
Louis Armstrong lauds the latest American through to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows as Paul comes through a (fairly quick) five-setter against Bublik. The pair exchange some sort of pinky swear at the net and it’s all good natured. Paul awaits the winner of Alcaraz v Wu in round four.
Alcaraz wins the second set 6-4 against Wu
Alcaraz brings up two set points with a marvellous bit of entertainment that involves a net cord, an overhead backhand volley from Wu and a thumping winner from the Spaniard. A wayward forehand passes up the first opportunity but Wu goes wide with a forehand to give Alcaraz a two-set lead.
Emma Navarro wins the first set 6-3 against Karolina Muchova, the seventh seed, over on Grandstand. In other good news for Americans, Tommy Paul is two breaks up in the fifth set against Alexander Bublik.
Alcaraz 6-3 5-4 Wu* (*denotes server): Alcaraz steps it up on his serve and Wu, admirably, tries to fight fire with fire. Alcaraz holds to love for what seems like the first time in ages.
Alcaraz* 6-3 4-4 Wu (*denotes server): Alcaraz balloons a forehand on the first point that bounces past the baseline and into the expensive front-row seats, where a woman pops the ball into her handbag. The Spaniard then loses his rag with a shot into the net at 30-30, screaming “hostia” (er, bloody hell) into the abyss. Wu holds serve and the pressure is on Alcaraz now.
Alcaraz 6-3 4-3 Wu* (*next server): Wu gets a bit too excited on break point at 30-40 and sprays a forehand long in the corner. An inconsistent Alcaraz then cracks a backhand winner down the line to bring up game point – which he takes. That was a bit of a wobble, though.
Tommy Pauls wins the fourth set 6-1 against Alexander Bublik to send that one to a deciding fifth on Louis Armstrong. That will go over three hours.
Taylor Townsend beats Diana Shnaider (15) 6-2 6-7 6-3
The American equals her best run at the US Open by reaching the fourth round for the second successive year. She was made to wait for the victory after initially serving for the match in the second set. But Stadium 17 goes wild as she wins the decider to set up a meeting with Aryna Sabalenka in round four.
Alcaraz* 6-3 3-3 Wu (*next server): Alcaraz saves two game points, the second with a fine forehand that Wu sends sailing over the baseline. A punched volley at deuce from Alcaraz brings up a first break point which passes him by. Wu lets out the loudest noise he’s made all afternoon as Alcaraz goes long at deuce. He powers a forehand crosscourt to hold serve.
Alcaraz 6-3 3-2 Wu* (*next server): At 40-15, the net cord taunts Alcaraz on his serve and a double-fault opens the door a touch for Wu. The world No 113 then forces a teetering Alcaraz backwards and he scuffs a forehand into the crowd. At deuce, Alcaraz’s luck is in this time as Wu throws his arms up in the air in frustration after a net cord derails his point. Alcaraz then closes out the hold.
Alcaraz* 6-3 2-2 Wu (*next server): Alcaraz’s sprays a shot wide down the line at 30-30 but Wu does the same on game point. Five deuces later, Wu pins Alcaraz down with a serve out wide but the Spaniard unleashes a forehand down the line to rescue game point. Wu seals a well earned hold with another impressive serve that Alcaraz can’t get back over the net.
During the break in play, Wu’s attention was on his player box – he was apparently unhappy with someone who shouldn’t be in there. Who could it be? An Alcaraz spy? An ex? Who knows.
Alexander Bublik wins the third set against Tommy Paul after a 7-4 tiebreak victory. The Kazakh leads 4-6 6-3 7-6.
Alcaraz 6-3 2-1 Wu* (*next server): It’s Alcaraz’s turn to have a dip. Wu has a good opportunity at 0-30 but shanks a forehand return over the umpire’s chair. A double fault from Alcaraz brings up two break points and a wayward forehand from the Spaniard seals it. Wu breaks straight back – that deep breathing must have worked.
Alcaraz* 6-3 2-0 Wu (*next server): It’s all unravelling a bit for Wu, a US Open boys champion in 2017, as he loses his fifth game on the spin with a double fault on break point. I’d advise a few deep breaths but nothing much else helpful.
Alcaraz 6-3 1-0 Wu* (*next server): Alcaraz barely puts a foot wrong in his first service game, with just one long forehand, and takes an early lead in the second set.
Alcaraz wins the first set 6-3 against Wu
A missed forehand down the line from Wu brings up set point at 30-40. Tens of thousands hold their breath as an Alcaraz lob lands just the wrong side of the baseline for deuce. Wu comes in to volley but can’t control it – then can’t beat the net on the second set point and Alcaraz is one up.
Wu sits down in his chair and pleads with his box for answers. He’s played well, but still not well enough.
Alcaraz 5-3 Wu* (*next server): Alcaraz sends an ace down the T to bring up game point and an exchange at the net ends with the defending champion fading a backhand volley into open court. Wu will serve to stay in it.
Taylor Townsend has been taken to a deciding set by Diana Shnaider on Stadium 17 having served for the match at 5-4 in the second. Ouch.
Alcaraz* 4-3 Wu (*denotes server): Alcaraz breaks straight back! A double fault from Wu takes it to 30-30. Wu sends a backhand long to bring up break point – but it’s a swing and a miss from Alcaraz on return. The pair exchange points at deuce before Wu hits the net on break point.
Daniil Medvedev (7) beats Arthur Rinderknech (26) 6-4 6-4 6-4
The 2021 champion is safely through to the fourth round after a straight-sets victory. He will face Francis Tiafoe or Valentin Vacherot in the next round.
Alcaraz 3-3 Wu* (*next server): Back level on Arthur Ashe! A wonderful shot down the line brings up a 0-30 lead for Wu. Alcaraz’s passing shot then goes wide for 0-40. The Spaniard saves the first break point but some fine hitting from Wu seals the second!
We have a result elsewhere on Grandstand …
Alcaraz* 3-2 Wu (*next server): A stumbling Alcaraz, arms windmilling cartoon-style to keep his balance, recovers to win the point to go 15-30 up. Wu recovers and gets a crosscourt forehand just right on the line for 40-30. Alcaraz’s backhand goes long again and Wu holds.
Alcaraz 3-1 Wu* (*next server): Alcaraz kicks off the game with two aces but Wu fights back to 30-30. Another strong first serve from the Spaniard sends Wu scrambling and then the Chinese sweeps a forehand wide on game point.
Alcaraz* 2-1 Wu (*next server): Alcaraz is pouncing on any weaker second serves from Wu. A double-fault at 15-15 is a sure sign of nerves but an ace down the T at 30-40 down is an admirable response from Wu. A thrilling point on Wu’s advantage ends with Alcaraz unleashing a grunted forehand across court, just wide. Wu holds.
Alcaraz 2-0 Wu* (*next server): Alcaraz show his class at 15-15 as he whips a forehand down the line that Wu cannot get near. The Chinese player saves the first game point but Alcaraz makes sure on the second.
A ridiculously lucky net cord for Alcaraz – his backhand down the line was heading out before it clipped the net – puts Wu under pressure at 15-30 in the first game. At deuce, Wu saves one break point but a fierce crosscourt forehand gives Alcaraz the perfect start. Alcaraz leads 1-0 on serve.
I will be following this match game-by-game, with updates from around the courts as well.
Alexander Bublik has taken the second set against Tommy Paul on Louis Armstrong Stadium – it’s one-all and that one could go on for some time …
There is drama on Stadium 17 – Taylor Townsend was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set but Diana Shnaider breaks back to level it!
Much is being made of Alcaraz’s attire and his loose-fitting brown vest. He’s wearing a white under-vest this time, so there will be no nipples on show. The crowd is starting to stream back in after Jessica Pegula’s match for today’s main attraction.
Here comes Carlos Alcaraz. The defending men’s champion walks out on Arthur Ashe alongside China’s Wu Yibing, the world No 113, for their second ever meeting – Alcaraz won the first in Wu’s home tournament in Shanghai last year.
Daniil Medvedev turns the screw towards the end of the second set against Arthur Rinderknech to break at 4-4 and close it out on serve. The 2021 champion leads 6-4 6-4 on Grandstand and looks good to set up a possible meeting with Francis Tiafoe in round four.
After equalling her career-best run to the fourth round last year, an inspired Taylor Townsend is at it again at Flushing Meadows. The American has taken the first set in her third-round match against 15th seed Diana Shnaider and it is 3-3 on serve in the second on Stadium 17.
“I was a little lazy to start off,” admits Pegula in her on-court interview and she bemoans her poor serving in the first set. After “hitting a wall” in the second set, she credits her ability to control her breathing and remain calm in finding a way to win.
Jessica Pegula (3) beats Leylah Fernandez (31) 1-6 6-4 6-3
Arthur Ashe rises to applaud one of their home favourites as Pegula sees off Fernandez despite that disastrous first set. Fernandez saves the first match point at 40-0 down by moving Pegula about the court but a serve-and-volley from the third seed on the next seals the deal.
A duffed backhand and an overhit return from Pegula mean Fernandez is able to see out her service game, forcing the American to win it for herself. Pegula leads 5-3 on serve in the deciding set.
Pegula races through her service game and Fernandez must now serve to stay in it at 2-5 down in the deciding set. This is such a positive response from the American after that disastrous 6-1 reverse in the first set.
Fernandez is going down swinging, nailing a couple of winners from the baseline when under the cosh on her serve but missing others. A couple of excellent serves at deuce close out the game in her favour. Pegula leads 4-2 on serve.
Pegula edges closer to a comeback win as she sends Fernandez wide from the baseline and the Canadian’s return is into the net. It’s 4-1 in the deciding set to the American third seed.
Thanks Niall. A break at 4-4 has helped Tommy Paul win the first set against Alexander Bublik. Jessica Pegula has taken a crucial break of her own in the deciding set against Leylah Fernandez to lead 3-1 on Arthur Ashe.
Daniil Medvedev has taken the first set 6-4, while Bublik and Paul are still slugging away on serve. Time to hand you over to Billy Munday, who will take it from here.
At 1-1 in the third set, Fernandez has two break points but tries to move forward on the Pegula serve, and can’t keep her returns in play. A let-off for Pegula, who secures the hold with an ace down the middle. Pegula leads 1-6, 6-4, 2-1.
Daniil Medvedev fell behind in his first set, but has fought back to level at 4-4 with Rinderknech. Bublik v Paul is locked at 3-3; the American has won three of their four prior meetings, but Bublik did win a five-setter at this stage here last year.
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