NEW YORK (Reuters) – The second round of the U.S. Open continues on Thursday as the world’s top players battle for Grand Slam glory in New York.
Top seed Jannik Sinner resumes his quest for a second Grand Slam title after his Australian Open success earlier this season when the Italian meets local favourite Alex Michelsen.
Women’s top seed Iga Swiatek of Poland will take on Japan’s Ena Shibahara while 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz meets Dutchman Botic van De Zandschulp.
Here are the latest results and highlights:
TOP MEN’S MATCH: ALCARAZ v VAN DE ZANDSCHULP
Although a mismatch on paper with Alcaraz beating Van de Zandschulp in both previous clashes, the third seed has still not hit top gear in New York and was dragged to four sets in his opener by Australian qualifier Li Tu.
He was similarly pushed by Van de Zandschulp in their first meeting at the 2021 Australian Open but much has changed since, with Alcaraz heading into their latest clash as a four-times Grand Slam champion.
The Spaniard has the ability to quickly move through the gears when needed and will be backed to extend his winning run at the Grand Slams to 16 matches following triumphant French Open and Wimbledon campaigns.
“I haven’t thought about how many straight wins I had in Grand Slams, but we’ll try to keep adding to that number,” said the 21-year-old.
“As I’ve said before, that’s why we work hard; to try and win as many matches as possible, to produce our best level and try to be better.
“And of course, to give ourselves the chance to play in the final rounds of every tournament, above all at the Grand Slams.”
TOP WOMEN’S MATCH: PLISKOVA v PAOLINI
Like Alcaraz, Jasmine Paolini reached the finals at Roland Garros and the All England club only to end up on the losing side and the Italian will need to maintain her level to avoid an early exit at the hands of 2016 runner-up Karolina Pliskova.
“I know that I’m playing well,” Paolini said after a tight opener against former champion Bianca Andreescu.
“I’m playing good, but every tournament is different.”
MICHELSEN READY FOR SINNER
Michelsen gave Sinner a scare at Cincinnati earlier this month and the American is relishing the chance to test the world number one with the crowd behind him.
“I’m going to go out there and I’m going to compete my hardest,” Michelsen said. “I’m going to be the underdog and I love being the underdog so it’ll be fun either way.”
U.S. OPEN ORDER OF PLAY ON THURSDAY
Here is the order of play on the main showcourts on the fourth day of the U.S. Open (prefix number denotes seeding):
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM (1600 GMT/12 PM ET)
1-Jannik Sinner (Italy) v Alex Michelsen (U.S.)
1-Iga Swiatek (Poland) v Ena Shibahara (Japan)
Naomi Osaka (Japan) v Karolina Muchova (Czech Republic)
3-Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) v Botic van De Zandschulp (Netherlands)
LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM (1500 GMT/11 AM ET)
Tomas Machac (Czech Republic) v 16-Sebastian Korda (U.S.)
Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) v 5-Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
Sofia Kenin (U.S.) v 6-Jessica Pegula (U.S.)
Fabian Marozsan (Hungary) v 5-Daniil Medvedev (Russia)
Caroline Wozniacki v Renata Zarazua (Mexico)
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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