Alcaraz once again bageled Djokovic to break Federer’s record, Xiaomi’s spicy star unexpectedly falters, and three Chinese women advance in doubles.

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Last night and early this morning Beijing time, the 2025 US Open reached its sixth day of matches. In a key men’s singles third-round match, top favorite and No. 2 seed Alcaraz continued his hot streak, delivering another bagel with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 win over Italy’s Darderi, advancing powerfully to the round of 16. This marks the Spanish youngster’s 80th Grand Slam match victory in his career. Next, he will face Frenchman Linderknech for a spot in the quarterfinals; Linderknech came from behind to beat compatriot Bonzi 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2, reaching his first Grand Slam round of 16. Head-to-head, Alcaraz leads 3-0 against the French player.

In another highlight match, four-time champion and No. 7 seed Djokovic, despite losing the second-set tiebreak, ultimately defeated Britain’s Norrie 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3, maintaining a perfect 7-0 record against him. Djokovic reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the 69th time, tying Swiss legend Federer for the all-time record. Additionally, this was Djokovic’s 192nd hard-court Grand Slam win, surpassing Federer to hold the solo record. Over the years, Federer’s previous records have dwindled significantly.

In the fourth round, Djokovic will face German qualifier Struff, who eliminated home favorite No. 17 seed Thiago Monteiro with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7) victory. Another local player, No. 6 seed Shelton, retired due to injury while tied 2-2 in sets against French left-hander Mannarino, granting Mannarino his first-ever advancement to the round of 16.

No. 20 seed Czech player Lehecka defeated Belgium’s Colinion 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, reaching the tournament’s round of 16 for the first time and the fourth time in his Grand Slam career. In another match, American top player Fritz faced tough resistance from Swiss qualifier Kämp, battling nearly three hours. Ultimately, Fritz advanced in four sets: 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.

On the women’s singles side: In a third-round clash, defending champion and top seed Sabalenka beat former US Open finalist Canadian Fernandez 6-3, 7-6(2), securing her 10th consecutive win at the tournament and marking five straight years reaching the US Open round of 16. Next, she will contest a quarterfinal spot against Spaniard Bouzkova, who came back from a set down to defeat Belgian Mertens 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, reaching her first Grand Slam round of 16.

Czech star Krajicek overcame a 0-3 deficit in the final set to rally past home favorite No. 10 seed Navarro 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, avenging her loss at this year’s Wimbledon. No. 4 seed and local favorite Pegula defeated former world No. 1 Azarenka 6-1, 7-5, advancing to the second week of the US Open for the fourth consecutive year and marking her 10th career appearance in a Grand Slam round of 16.

Another home player, Ann Li, defeated qualifier Han Tianyu 7-5, 6-3, reaching her first Grand Slam round of 16. She will face compatriot Pegula next. No. 7 seed Italian powerhouse Paolini was eliminated by Czech star Vančurová 7-6(4), 6-1. Vančurová will compete against Kazakh star Rybakina for a quarterfinal spot; Rybakina cruised past former champion and Britain’s top player Raducanu 6-1, 6-2, reaching her first US Open round of 16.

In a match that concluded at noon Beijing time today, No. 5 seed and Russian rising star Mira Andreeva was upset by home player Townsend 5-7, 2-6, exiting the tournament unexpectedly.

In doubles: The Chinese women secured three victories on the day. Zhang Shuai/Alexandrova cruised past Christian/Morathli 6-2, 6-2; Yuan Yue/Osorio defeated Mihalikova/Nichols 6-2, 4-6, 6-4; Wang Yafan/Aoyama Shuko edged out the cross-strait duo Jiang Xinyu/Zhan Haoqing 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) in a comeback. However, some Chinese pairs were eliminated: Tang Qianhui/Santamaria lost to Bolt/Katar 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(5); Zheng Saisai/Zhu Lin fell 4-6, 4-6 to Niculescu/Sevastova.

Finally, a guessing game: In the photo below, a player covers her face crying during a break. Without any hints, can you identify who she is?

Last time’s guess was correct by some fans. Indeed, the person in the picture is the wife of Russian star Medvedev, who was eliminated in her debut.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Independent Thinker)