Carlos Alcaraz overcomes slow start to reach third round at U.S. Open

The third round of the US Open continued at a rain-soaked tournament in New York on Wednesday. Jessica Pegula, the No. 3 seed, reached the round in just 56 minutes by defeating Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1. Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, had previously beaten Venus Williams in her first match. Pegula expressed her satisfaction with the quick win, stating she would take it and continue to the next round.

Ben Shelton, the No. 8 seed, followed Pegula on Ashe Stadium and beat Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-5. Another player who made progress was No. 7 Daniil Medvedev, who raced past Sebastian Gorzny in a match interrupted by a point replay due to two birds sitting on the net. Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz were scheduled to play on Ashe at night but were among the players still in the first round.

Players such as Alex de Minaur, Paula Badosa, Rafael Jodar, and 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens were also still playing their first matches. The tournament was trying to make up for the rain delays from Tuesday, with 25 singles matches being played on the men's side. The outcome of the matches would impact the players' futures, as some, like Paula Badosa, were anxious about resuming their matches.