Coco Gauff gave the home crowd a reason to celebrate at the US Open by moving into the fourth round, even as fellow Americans Taylor Fritz, Amanda Anisimova and Madison Keys suffered unexpected defeats. The 2023 champion, now 22, was paired against world No. 40 Cristina Bucsa. Although she was not playing at her peak, Gauff managed to outlast her opponent with a 6-3, 6-4 victory, securing a place in the round of 16.
Her next challenge will be a quarter‑final showdown with compatriot Iva Jovic. Speaking after the match, Gauff reflected on the shift in conditions between day and night sessions. "Playing in daylight feels completely different from playing under the lights," she said.
"When I fell behind early in the break, I reminded myself to speed up my shots and take control." She added that Bucsa proved to be a crafty opponent who could vary the pace and disrupt rhythm, making it difficult for Gauff to find her flow. "Even though I wasn’t at my best, I’m pleased with how I fought through the tough moments," Gauff remarked. While Gauff’s win provided a bright spot for the United States, the day was otherwise marked by a series of American upsets. The tournament’s ninth seed, Taylor Fritz, appeared to be cruising toward the fourth round after taking a two‑set lead over Argentina’s Federico Cerundolo.
The 28‑year‑old, who was the runner‑up two years earlier, had not dropped a set all week and seemed poised to join compatriots Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul and Alex Michelsen in the last 16. However, Cerundolo, fresh off a surprise victory at Queen’s Club earlier in the summer, clawed his way back into the match, turning it into a five‑set marathon and ultimately prevailing 3‑6, 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑4, 6‑4. The United States is still searching for its first men’s singles champion since Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph over Juan Carlos Ferrero. Meanwhile, 20th seed Tommy Paul is set to face world No.
2 Carlos Alcaraz in what promises to be a genuine test of the defending champion’s form after returning from injury. Paul commented, "I think I’ve played Carlos more than anyone on tour, which is kind of crazy.
We’ve had some good matches. He and Jannik Sinner are the big tests now. Carlos hasn’t been seen much recently, but he’s looking strong coming back to competition." On the other side of the draw, top‑seed Alexander Zverev sailed into the fourth round with a straight‑sets win over Alejandro Tabilo, 6‑2, 7‑6, 6‑2. The world No.
2 will meet 25th seed Luciano Darderi, who earned his first fourth‑round appearance at a hard‑court major by defeating Australian wildcard Dane Sweeny 6‑4, 6‑3, 6‑3. Fourteenth seed Learner Tien also advanced after a grueling five‑set battle against Jakub Mensik, prevailing 6‑3, 1‑6, 6‑7, 6‑3, 6‑4. Tien’s victory, secured in the early hours of Sunday morning, made him the youngest American to reach the US Open fourth round since Andy Roddick in 2002.
He will now face Russia’s Karen Khachanov. In another notable upset, Belgian 28th seed Alexander Blockx defeated Italian fifth seed Flavio Cobolli 6‑7(4‑7), 6‑3, 6‑0, 6‑3, earning a spot in the fourth round where he will meet Argentina’s 24th‑seeded Cerundolo. Madison Keys, the 2017 runner‑up, was left dejected after squandering a commanding lead to lose 1‑6, 7‑6(7‑3), 7‑5 to China’s Qinwen Zheng.
The 31‑year‑old explained, "I started strong, but then I got scared and couldn’t swing. Tennis just feels really hard right now, and that fear took over." Amanda Anisimova, who was the finalist the previous year, committed 46 unforced errors in a 6‑2, 7‑5 loss to Austria’s Anastasia Potapova.
Meanwhile, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva beat Czech Nikola Bartunkova 6‑2, 7‑6(7‑5) to reach the fourth round for the first time, and will soon face Potapova again. Six‑time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek dug deep to overcome Czech 25th seed Marie Bouzkova 7‑6(7‑3), 7‑6(7‑3), securing her place in the fourth round. The Polish star, who will meet Zheng next, noted, "It got pretty physical with many long rallies.
It wasn’t easy." In doubles news, Serena and Venus Williams avoided a fine for refusing to speak to the media after their loss on Friday night. The sisters were defeated in three tight sets by Maya Joint and Chan Hao‑ching in their first match at Flushing Meadows in four years. Normally, players who skip media obligations are penalised, but officials indicated the Williams sisters would not be punished this time. The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30.
Viewers can stream matches without a contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App, and the Laver Cup will also be shown live from The O2 in London between September 25‑27 on Sky Sports.