(Reuters) – The U.S. Open enters the third round on Friday as the world’s top players battle for Grand Slam glory in New York.
Men’s defending champion Novak Djokovic, who is eyeing a fifth U.S. Open title, takes on Australia’s Alexei Popyrin while women’s holder Coco Gauff meets Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.
An all-American clash between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe offers a rematch of last year’s spectacular quarter-final.
Here are the latest results and highlights:
TOP MEN’S MATCH: SHELTON v TIAFOE
Shelton has beaten Tiafoe both times they have met but the wins have never come easy.
“These are the type of matches that I love, that I live for …,” Shelton said. “It will be a war just like the last two times we’ve played. “I know that the people love him here. Probably more than me. He’s electric here, and his crowds are electric here.”
Tiafoe also spoke fondly of Shelton and said he anticipated a tough match.
“He’s young, funny, cracks jokes. Just about as immature as I am,” Tiafoe joked. “He’s got one of the better serves on the tour, no question. Especially a lefty, he hits all the spots, changes pace quite well. It’s going to be tough but I’m super excited.”
TOP WOMEN’S MATCH: GAUFF v SVITOLINA
Svitolina beat Gauff in straight sets the first time they played each other in 2021 but their latest clash at the Auckland Open in January saw the American fight back from a set down to get the win.
The 20-year-old defending champion said she would have to bring her best on Friday.
“I think she’s a good all-court player. She can do pretty much everything. She’s really solid from the back. When I played her in Auckland, we had a lot of physical points,” Gauff said.
DJOKOVIC STRUGGLING WITH SERVE
Paris Olympics gold medallist Novak Djokovic is yet to win a Grand Slam this year and while he has not dropped a set at the U.S. Open he is struggling with his serve.
“I haven’t really been serving well the first two matches here, so I’m still kind of trying to find that rhythm and tempo on the serve,” the 37-year-old said.
Djokovic hit only three aces in his second-round clash while his opponent, Laslo Djere, hit 11 before retiring injured.
Djokovic has won all three of his matches against Popyrin but says the 25-year-old continues to improve.
“He keeps on getting closer and closer, knocking on that door,” Djokovic said. “So he’s much better defending, and he’s more consistent. He doesn’t make as many errors as he used to … he’s pumped. He’s confident, and he shows that.”
U.S. OPEN ORDER OF PLAY ON THURSDAY
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM (1600 GMT/12 PM ET)
27-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) v 3-Coco Gauff (U.S.)
13-Ben Shelton (U.S.) v 20-Frances Tiafoe (U.S.)
28-Alexei Popyrin (Australia) v 2-Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
20-Ekaterina Alexandrova (Russia) v 2-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM (1500 GMT/11 AM ET)
Elena-Gabriela Ruse (Romania) v 26-Paula Badosa (Spain)
13-Emma Navarro (U.S.) v 19-Marta Kostyuk (Ukraine)
Francisco Comesana (Argentina) v 12-Taylor Fritz (U.S.)
14-Madison Keys (U.S.) v 33-Elise Mertens (Belgium)
Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Argentina) v 4-Alexander Zverev (Germany)
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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