World number two Iga Swiatek overcame a stern challenge to reach the third round of the US Open on Thursday, while defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner eased through and Naomi Osaka continued her return to form.
The day’s biggest drama came from Coco Gauff, who fought through an emotional struggle to defeat Donna Vekic, avenging her Olympic loss in Paris. Gauff, who broke down in the first set, rallied to victory after drawing inspiration from gymnastics star Simone Biles watching from the stands.
Swiatek, fresh from her Wimbledon title and Cincinnati win, battled past unseeded Suzan Lamens 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium, sealing the match with an ace. She next faces 29th seed Anna Kalinskaya.
Sinner, the world number one, dismissed Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, setting up a clash with 27th seed Denis Shapovalov. Osaka, seeded 23rd, defeated American Hailey Baptiste 6-3, 6-1 to reach the third round for the first time since 2021.
In men’s action, German Daniel Altmaier upset 26th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a five-set battle, winning 7-6(5), 1-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 after more than four hours. Third seed Alexander Zverev advanced with a straight-sets win over British qualifier Jacob Fearnley and will face Felix Auger-Aliassime next.
Veteran Venus Williams also drew attention, teaming up with Canada’s Leylah Fernandez to defeat sixth seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez 7-6(4), 6-3 in doubles. “This is the best partner I’ve ever played with outside Serena,” Williams said.
Elsewhere, Australia’s Alex de Minaur progressed with a straight-sets win over Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki, while compatriot Maya Joint was eliminated by eighth seed Amanda Anisimova.
