Coco Gauff advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Sept 5, providing a rare bright spot as several prominent American contenders crashed out at Flushing Meadows, while men’s top seed Alexander Zverev survived a grueling five-set battle.
Expectations for the home contingent at Flushing Meadows took a severe hit on a dramatic day of tennis in New York. While the tournament’s biggest names navigated turbulent weather and stubborn opponents, the American draw suffered high-profile casualties across both the men’s and women’s divisions, leaving the fourth-seeded Gauff to shoulder local hopes.
Gauff Advances While American Hopes Falter
Coco Gauff overcame Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4 to book her place in the last 16. The 2023 champion managed early struggles on her serve to secure a convincing win that keeps her bid for a third Grand Slam title alive. Her steady progression contrasted sharply with the sudden exits of her compatriots.
Ninth seed Taylor Fritz, who reached the final in 2024, suffered his earliest exit in four years. Fritz had not dropped a set prior to his match against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo, but Cerundolo flipped the script to win 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, reaching the fourth round for the first time. Meanwhile, the 2025 runner-up Amanda Anisimova fell 6-2, 7-5 to Anastasia Potapova, continuing a frustrating year for the 10th seed at Grand Slam events.
Zverev Survives Marathon Encounter and Honest Assessment
Alexander Zverev found himself fighting for survival on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. Earning the No. 1 seed in a Grand Slam for the first time, the French Open champion edged Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-4 in a bruising encounter that lasted 4 hours and 52 minutes, concluding early Wednesday morning.
Alexander Zverev, men’s top seed, stated that he was happy to have won that kind of battle and that it was exactly the match he needed.
Zverev’s escape averted what would have been a historic opening-week shock following the exit of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in a five-set loss two nights earlier, compounded by top-ranked Jannik Sinner’s absence due to a right knee injury. Reflecting on his overall form after a late-night second-round win against Quentin Halys, Zverev offered a blunt appraisal, remarking that he was winning ugly at the moment.
Zheng’s Dramatic Turnaround and Osaka’s Fashionable Run
China’s Zheng Qinwen delivered one of the day’s most remarkable comebacks. Battling back from a 5-0 deficit in the deciding set, Zheng defeated 2017 runner-up Madison Keys 1-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5. The Olympic champion, who has worked her way back from a chronic right elbow injury, expressed relief afterward.
Across the plaza at Louis Armstrong Stadium, Naomi Osaka continued her strong tournament run by defeating Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. The four-time Major champion drew attention with her pre-match attire, pairing a grey checked blazer-hoodie with wide-leg pants. Osaka secured the victory by firing a massive ace to take a 6-5 lead in the deciding set before pressing her forehand advantage to close out the match.
Weather Disruptions and Resilient Comebacks
Persistent rain showers severely impacted the tournament schedule, restricting play primarily to the retractable-roof venues of Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums while outer courts faced prolonged delays. Amid the damp conditions, Maria Sakkari orchestrated a dramatic afternoon turnaround.
Falling behind 6-2, 4-0 once she finally took the court following a weather delay, the No. 32 seed rallied to defeat Robin Montgomery 2-6, 7-5, 6-2. Sakkari noted that she focused on maintaining a positive mental state and keeping the ball in play against her less experienced opponent.
Similarly, Flavio Cobolli avoided a major upset by recovering from a two-set deficit to defeat Francisco Comesana 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a match lasting 4 hours and 12 minutes. Cobolli credited a wardrobe change during a bathroom break after the second set with turning his fortunes around in a draw defined by long matches and shifting momentum.
