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Leylah Fernandez’s singles run at the U.S. Open is done.
The Laval, Que., athlete was beaten 6-3, 7-6 (2) by the world’s No. 1-ranked player Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on Friday night in a third-round match that took one hour, 37 minutes to finish.
Despite having more unforced errors (18-12) and double faults (4-3) than the 31st-seeded Fernandez, Sabalenka had more winners (25-22) and more aces (6-5).
Sabalenka saved all five break points she faced and won one of three break points. Fernandez went 0-for-5 on trying to win break points, which was her undoing in the second set.
Sabalenka won 56 service points and 11 service games, while Fernandez won 39 service points and nine service games.
Reigning U.S. Open champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus defeats Leylah Fernandez from Laval, Que., 6-3, 7-6 (2) and advances to the fourth round.
Sabalenka advances to the Round of 16 and will face Cristina Bucsa of Moldova on Sunday in New York City.
Fernandez will be back on the court Saturday with women’s doubles partner Venus Williams. The wild-card pairing will play Eri Hozumi of Japan and Ulrikke Eikeri of Norway.
Fernandez advanced to the third round with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Elsa Jacquemot of France on Wednesday.
Fernandez and Williams upset the sixth-seeded pairing of Lyudmyla Kicheno of Ukraine and Ellen Perez of Australia 7-6 (4), 6-3 in Thursday’s opening round.
Alcaraz brushes aside mid-match knee concern
Second seed Carlos Alcaraz overcame a mid-match worry over his knee to swat aside Italy’s Luciano Darderi 6-2 6-4 6-0 in the third round earlier on Friday, claiming his 80th Grand Slam win.
The Spaniard has been on an extraordinary run, with a 42-2 record since April, and pushed on after taking a second-set medical timeout on Arthur Ashe Stadium to set up a meeting with either Benjamin Bonzi or Arthur Rinderknech, both of France.
“It’s just a precaution that I asked for the physio,” Alcaraz said after the match, tamping down concerns. “I’m feeling good.”
The 2022 champion took control of the first set immediately, breaking Darderi with a forehand winner in the second game and again on set point when his opponent hit the ball into the net.
Darderi had three double faults before dropping serve with a backhand error in the fourth game of the second set but found his competitive spirit when he broke back from the baseline in the seventh.
Alcaraz took a medical timeout with the physio after the ninth game, telling the staff member that he had begun to feel something wrong with his right knee earlier in the set.
The concern was short-lived as Darderi committed another double-fault on set point and Alcaraz then broke with an expertly placed backhand and a forehand winner in the second and fourth games of the final set.
“I just played such great tennis, great performance in general, so I’m just really proud about it,” said Alcaraz, who took the win as Darderi put the ball out on match point.
Djokovic passes Federer for most hard-court wins at majors
Novak Djokovic battled through his own physical struggles to reach the fourth round.
The Serb recovered from a lower back problem to knock out Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-7(4) 6-2 6-3, eliminating the last remaining Briton in the men’s draw and becoming the oldest man to reach the last 16 at Flushing Meadows since Jimmy Connors in 1991.
The four-time U.S. Open winner also surpassed Roger Federer to become the man with the most hard-court victories at the majors with his 192nd win, inching closer to a record 25th Grand Slam title.
“I’m good, man. I’m as young as ever and strong as ever,” said Djokovic after his battling victory.
