No. 1 seed and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Friday with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova. Sabalenka is pursuing a fifth Grand Slam title and hopes to become the first player to win three straight U.S. Open titles since Serena Williams from 2012-14. After a tough second set, Sabalenka will face either Taylor Townsend or No. 15 seed Diana Shnaider in the round of 16.
In other women's matches, third seed Jessica Pegula fought back from a set down to advance. No. 16 seed Sorana Cirstea, who is contemplating retirement after this season, defeated No. 19 Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-3 to keep her tournament run alive.
Defending men's champion Carlos Alcaraz also saw action on Friday, defeating China's Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. Meanwhile, Serena and Venus Williams were scheduled to play their first-round doubles match against Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint, marking Serena's first U.S. Open appearance since 2022.