Alcaraz, Sabalenka into US Open last 16 as Williams sisters lose on return
Defending singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka sailed into the last 16 of the US Open on Friday as tennis icons Serena and Venus Williams suffered an agonising defeat on their long-awaited return to Grand Slam doubles.The duo returned to the US Open stage comes after 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena came out of a four-year retirement to play at Wimbledon.
Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the last 16 of the US Open on Friday as Serena and Venus Williams suffered a heartbreaking loss in their doubles return. Alcaraz, returning from a four-month injury absence, beat Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 while Sabalenka dominated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4. Alcaraz will face Tommy Paul for a quarter-final spot after Paul beat Bublik 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-3.
Sabalenka, who must win her title to remain world number one, will next play Taylor Townsend. The Williams sisters, pairing in doubles for the first time since 2022, lost 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (10/7) to Chan Hao-ching and Maya Johanson in a grueling three-hour match. Jessica Pegula advanced to the next round after defeating Leylah Fernandez, while Marta Kostyuk beat Ekaterina Alexandrova and Emma Navarro upset Karolina Muchova. Frances Tiafoe and Daniil Medvedev also advanced in the men's draw.
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