Top Seeds Sinner and Swiatek Advance in US Open as Former Champions Are Eliminated

 Local favorites Tommy Paul and Jessica Pegula advance to the fourth round, while Caroline Wozniacki's dream comeback continues.

1 Sep 2024

Jannik Sinner managed to avoid the fate of his top rivals, advancing to the fourth round of the US Open. Meanwhile, fellow top seed Iga Swiatek gained momentum in her pursuit of a sixth Grand Slam title after receiving a pep talk from Serena Williams.

With defending champion Novak Djokovic stunned by a third-round loss to Alexei Popyrin on Friday, and title contender Carlos Alcaraz eliminated by Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round a day earlier, all eyes were on Sinner.

The Italian, who has handled the intense scrutiny following a doping controversy in the lead-up to the tournament, decisively defeated Christopher O’Connell 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday, solidifying his position as the favorite for the year’s final major.

“This sport is unpredictable, no?” Sinner commented on the surprising exits of Djokovic and Alcaraz. “Whenever you drop even a little bit in your level—whether it's mental, tennis-wise, or physical—it can have a huge impact on the result.”

“Both of their opponents played incredible tennis. It happens. So I just focus on my side, on what I need to do. I think I’ve done that, and we’ll see what I can achieve.”