NEW YORK, SEPT 4 (IANS): Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Alexander Zverev advanced to the third round of the US Open, while Karen Khachanov pulled off a major upset by defeating fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. Veteran Gael Monfils, meanwhile, saw his Grand Slam career come to an end following a second-round defeat.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka overcame Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 in two hours and two minutes to reach the third round. The victory marked her eighth third-round appearance at the US Open in 10 main-draw appearances and her second season reaching the third round at all four Grand Slam tournaments. Osaka will next face 20th seed Elise Mertens.
Karen Khachanov produced one of the biggest upsets, overcoming fourth seed and last year’s semifinalist Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. The 30-year-old Russian, ranked No. 50, advanced to the third round at all four majors this year. Auger-Aliassime struggled throughout the match, committing 47 unforced errors.
Elena Rybakina continued her pursuit of the world No. 1 ranking by defeating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in straight sets to reach the third round. The 27-year-old, who won her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, needs to reach the semifinals in New York to guarantee the top ranking. She will next meet Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva. Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, defeated Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6(5) to reach the third round for the fifth consecutive year. Gauff recorded 21 winners and 21 unforced errors and will next face Spain’s Cristina Bucsa.
Top seed Alexander Zverev survived another five-set marathon, defeating Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 in four hours and 33 minutes. The German, who won the French Open earlier this year and reached the Wimbledon final, has now recorded 20 Grand Slam wins in 2026. He will face 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo in the third round.
Meanwhile, Gael Monfils’ Grand Slam career ended with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 loss to American Learner Tien. The 40-year-old Frenchman, who plans to retire at the end of the season, made 18 US Open main-draw appearances and reached the semifinals in 2016. Monfils revealed that he will begin a new career in wealth management after retirement.
Tien, 20, continued his breakthrough season and will face 17th seed Jakub Mensik in the third round.