Seeded number 1 in the absence of Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev finally held his place, Saturday September 5, in the third round of the US Open. After two first matches won in five sets, he qualified in three straight sets... even if his game was still not reassuring. The good week continues for Arthur Gea, who won against the American Michael Zheng (107th), 7-6 (9/7), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, to qualify for the first time in his career in the round of 16 of a Grand Slam. After the defeat of Benjamin Bonzi, who was unable to do anything against the Russian Karen Khachanov (6-3, 6-2, 6-4), he is the last Frenchman competing in New York.
For his part, Taylor Fritz, world number 10, collapsed: after winning eight sets in a row since the start of the tournament, and while leading two sets to zero against Francisco Cerundolo, the 2024 finalist was knocked down and eliminated. Among the women, the two former winners Iga Swiatek (2022) and Coco Gauff (2023) reached the round of 16, as did world number 2 Elena Rybakina, winner on hard court at the Australian Open at the start of the season.
Zverev still not convincing
On paper, Zverev did much better in this third round than in the first two, dominating the Chilean Alejandro Tabilo (28th), 6-2, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2. But in reality, he is still far from his best level. "From the baseline, it was clearly better. I think I can play better (...) but I'm happy with the direction things are taking," he analyzed. Because he played on alternating current, losing his serve twice in the second set and committing 32 unforced errors throughout the match.
When Tabillo stretched his ball or went to the net, he frequently challenged the world number two, who repeatedly displayed his frustration. The winner of Roland-Garros is nevertheless still in the tournament with a first meeting in the second week with the Italian Luciano Darderi (22nd).
Fritz and Cobolli picked
Fritz (10th) led two sets to zero against Cerundolo (25th), who finally overthrew him 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. The Californian spent a good part of the meeting looking for his tennis, verbally expressing his frustration to his camp on numerous occasions. "I don't know how I let this slip away today. I don't want to talk to anyone. I just need to get away for a few days," he said.
Finalist at Roland-Garros, the Italian Flavio Cobolli (6th) was beaten 6-7 (7/4), 6-3, 6-0, 6-3 by the young 21-year-old Belgian Alexander Blockx (34th), who was in 117th place at the end of 2025. He will face Cerundolo for a place in the quarter-finals.
Swiatek manhandled, Keys knocked down
Six-time winner of Grand Slam tournaments, Iga Swiatek (8th) qualified in pain 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/3) against the Czech Marie Bouzkova (26th). “It was a very difficult match, at every point, with a lot of complicated situations,” said the 25-year-old Pole. She was notably led 3-0 then 4-2 in the second set, before saving three set points at 6-5.
Coco Gauff (4th) defeated the Spaniard Cristina Bucsa (40th) 6-3, 6-4, a score which does not reflect the nature of the match. “She’s a tricky player,” explained the American. “I’m happy to have gotten through it even without playing my best tennis.” Her compatriot Iva Jovic (14th) escaped from the clutches of one of the sensations of the season, the Philippine Alexandra Eala (18th), who only lost 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.
Naomi Osaka (13th) was also hooked but the Japanese, winner in New York in 2018 and 2020, ended up dismissing the Belgian Elise Mertens (20th) 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Winner at Roland-Garros, Russian Mirra Andreeva (5th) beat Czech Nikola Bartunkova (34th) 6-2, 7-6 (7/5).
The American women's contingent lost Madison Keys (24th), overthrown 1-6, 7-6 (7/3) 7-5 by the Chinese Qinwen Zheng (121st), Olympic champion in Paris who had to go through the qualifications in New York and Amanda Anisimova (10th), outgoing finalist in New York, who was stopped sharply 6-2, 7-5 by the Austrian Anastasia Potapova (25th). Keys, however, led 5 games to 0 in the third set and got a match point. “Tennis is really complicated for me at the moment,” she whispered.
