(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Alcaraz, Djokovic Cruise Into US Open Quarter-Finals as Sabalenka Shines
New York: Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic powered into the quarter-finals of the US Open 2025 on Sunday, while defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka stayed firmly on track for another title run.
Alcaraz Extends Winning Streak
Spanish second seed Carlos Alcaraz, chasing his sixth Grand Slam, eased past France’s Arthur Rinderknech with a commanding 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-4 victory. Remarkably, Alcaraz has yet to drop a set in the tournament.
“I think my style of tennis suits New York really well,” the 22-year-old said. “The energy is special here—day or night, people are always behind me. That’s why I play my best tennis.”
Alcaraz now faces Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka, who reached his second career Grand Slam quarter-final after defeating French veteran Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.
Djokovic Sets Up Clash With Fritz
World number one Novak Djokovic, 38, cruised past Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 as he continues his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.
Djokovic will next meet American Taylor Fritz, the tournament’s fourth seed, who brushed aside Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in just 98 minutes.
Fritz, the last US man standing in the draw, is aiming to become the first American to win a men’s Grand Slam since Andy Roddick in 2003. But history is against him—Djokovic has won all 10 of their previous meetings, including a quarter-final clash at last year’s US Open.
“I think only in the last couple of matches have I really been good enough to compete with him,” Fritz admitted.
Sabalenka Keeps Title Defence Alive
On the women’s side, top seed Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant form with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Cristina Bucsa of Spain.
Sabalenka has now reached the quarter-finals or better in 12 consecutive Grand Slams—a record she attributes to balancing life on and off the court.
“I’ve managed to combine hard work with proper recovery and some fun outside tennis. That balance has been the key,” she said.
Next up for Sabalenka is Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, who upset ninth seed Elena Rybakina in three sets 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
Czech Stars Shine
It was also a big day for Czech tennis as Barbora Krejcikova, unseeded but a former French Open and Wimbledon champion, pulled off a stunning comeback against American Taylor Townsend.
Krejcikova saved an incredible eight match points before winning 1-6, 7-6 (15/13), 6-3, a victory she called one of the most dramatic of her career.
“What a match,” she said, adding that after a back injury earlier this year, she had doubted if she would play again.
