Day 3 of the U.S. Open is set to continue with exciting second-round matches in the bottom half of the draw. Defending champion Novak Djokovic is looking to secure another Grand Slam title, while Coco Gauff aims to defend her own title. Let’s take a closer look at the matches and players to watch.
Madison Keys (14) vs. Maya Joint (Qualifier)
Madison Keys had an impressive victory in the first round, defeating Katerina Siniakova. She will now face Maya Joint, a college tennis player from Texas. Keys, known for her powerful serve and groundstrokes, reached the final in New York in 2017. This will be the first meeting between Keys and Joint.
Alexander Shevchenko vs. Frances Tiafoe (20)
Frances Tiafoe, who won a tough match against Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round, will now face Alexander Shevchenko from Kazakhstan. Tiafoe will rely on his strong serve and the support of the home crowd to secure another victory.
Tatjana Maria vs. Coco Gauff (3)
Coco Gauff, the defending champion, started her title defense with a convincing win over Varvara Gracheva. Despite some struggles with her serve, Gauff remains confident and will look to build on her performance in the first round. She has previously beaten Tatjana Maria, and aims to continue her success against her.
Laslo Djere vs. Novak Djokovic (2)
Novak Djokovic, the world No. 2 and last year’s champion, had a comfortable win in the first round. Although he made some uncharacteristic errors, Djokovic is expected to perform better as the tournament progresses. He has a 2-0 record against Laslo Djere and will be looking to maintain his dominance in their matchup.
Louis Armstrong Stadium will also host some exciting matches on Day 3.
Taylor Townsend vs. Paula Badosa (26)
Taylor Townsend and Paula Badosa both had solid victories in the first round. Badosa, who won in dominant fashion, will face a resurgent Townsend, who is regaining confidence in her singles game. This promises to be an exciting match.
Alexandre Muller (WC) vs. Alexander Zverev (4)
Alexander Zverev, the fourth seed, overcame a challenging first-round match and is looking to make a deep run in the tournament. He will face Alexandre Muller, a wildcard entry. Zverev has come close to winning a Grand Slam title in the past, and New York is where he has had his best performances.
Lucia Bronzetti vs. Aryna Sabalenka (2)
Aryna Sabalenka, known for her confidence on hard courts, had a strong start to the U.S. Open. She will face Lucia Bronzetti, who advanced to the second round after her opponent retired. Sabalenka’s power will be a challenge for Bronzetti.
Victoria Azarenka (20) vs. Clara Burel
Victoria Azarenka and Clara Burel both fought back from a set down to secure their places in the second round. Azarenka leads their head-to-head 1-0 and will be aiming for another victory.
Matteo Berrettini vs. Taylor Fritz (12)
Matteo Berrettini, a former Wimbledon finalist, is considered one of the most dangerous unseeded players in the men’s draw. He faces Taylor Fritz, who has won all three of their previous meetings. This match has the potential to be one of the highlights of the second round.
There are several other intriguing matches taking place on Day 3.
Barbora Krejcikova (8) vs. Elena-Gabriela Ruse (Q)
Zheng Qinwen (7) vs. Erika Andreeva
Ben Shelton (13) vs. Roberto Bautista Agut
Casper Ruud (8) vs. Gael Monfils
These matches feature a mix of established players and rising stars, promising an exciting day of tennis.
As the U.S. Open progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matches and intense competition. The players will have to bring their best game to succeed in this prestigious tournament. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from this year’s U.S. Open.