NEW YORK, SEP 3 (IANS): Top seed Aryna Sabalenka, third seed Carlos Alcaraz and Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova advanced to the third round of the US Open with contrasting victories at Flushing Meadows on Thursday.
Sabalenka continued her bid for a third consecutive US Open title with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over qualifier Polina Iatcenko at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Belarusian needed just 54 minutes to complete the win, hitting 24 winners and converting six of eight break-point opportunities. The victory extended her US Open winning streak to 15 matches and her run of consecutive second-round victories at Grand Slam tournaments to 22.
Sabalenka also improved her US Open record to 30-2 in matches in which she has won the opening set. She will next face Kamilla Rakhimova, against whom she holds a 3-0 head-to-head record.
A successful title defence would make Sabalenka only the third woman in the Open Era to win the US Open three consecutive times. Serena Williams achieved the feat from 2012 to 2014, while Chris Evert won four straight titles from 1975 to 1978.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, recovered from a first-set setback to overcome Portugal’s Jaime Faria 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2.
The Spaniard, seeking his third US Open title, dropped the opening set but responded emphatically, winning eight consecutive games to seize control. Alcaraz struck 43 winners to Faria’s 27 and converted seven of 12 break-point opportunities.
The victory extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 16 matches and improved his US Open record to 26-3. Alcaraz, who is attempting to become the first man since Roger Federer to successfully defend the US Open title, will next meet China’s Wu Yibing.
Alcaraz is also enjoying a perfect 9-0 record at Grand Slam tournaments in 2026. Earlier this year, he became the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam at the age of 22.
Noskova also progressed in straight sets, defeating Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The sixth-seeded Czech maintained her strong run since winning Wimbledon, overcoming Tararudee with an aggressive baseline display. After taking the opening set following a break in the seventh game, Noskova quickly established a 3-0 lead in the second and never looked back.
The victory was Noskova’s 11th Grand Slam match win of 2026, her best tally in a calendar year. She had earlier reached the third round of the Australian Open before winning her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.
Noskova will next face 29th-seeded American Ann Li, who defeated Donna Vekic 5-7, 7-6, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and 44 minutes.