Alcaraz Under the Microscope Before He Even Steps On Court
Carlos Alcaraz did not play on day three of the US Open, but the seven-time Grand Slam champion remained a constant talking point. After sitting out more than four months due to a wrist injury, Alcaraz is now facing questions about the tennis balls used at Flushing Meadows. Former British player Tim Henman highlighted a curious quirk: unlike Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and virtually every other major tournament, the US Open uses different balls for men and women. Henman explained that the split came after a WTA request to revert to a standard felt ball, rather than the extra-duty version. Fellow former player Naomi Broady echoed the concern, suggesting this distinction could potentially put Alcaraz at a disadvantage as he works his way back to full match fitness.
Meanwhile, Roland Garros champion Alexander Zverev showed tremendous fighting spirit, saving himself from two sets to one down against Lorenzo Sonego in a match that wrapped up just before 2am. French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli also recovered from a sluggish opening to win in five sets.
Gauff Silences Serve Critics While Eala Wows the Crowd
Coco Gauff has carried a notable burden this past year. No WTA player accumulated more double faults over the last 12 months than the 22-year-old American, who racked up a remarkable 302. Yet against Zeynep Sonmez, that weakness was nowhere to be seen, hinting that work with biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan may be paying dividends.
Alex Eala delivered arguably the most electric performance of the early rounds, crushing Mary Stoiana 6-1 6-2 in front of a passionate crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Iga Swiatek, as expected, cruised through her opener conceding just five games, while 12th seed Belinda Bencic suffered a painful exit, squandering a third-set advantage against Yulia Putintseva. TennisDraw users who tracked the women's side closely will want to revisit their bracket picks after Bencic's early departure.
