US Open Highlights: Alcaraz, Medvedev enter 3rd round, Murray knocked out

US Open 2023: Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will headline second round action at the US Open 2023. The 20-year old Spaniard faces South Africa’s Lloyd Harris in the night session on Thursday, 31st August 2023. The match is scheduled to begin at 4.30 AM IST. Earlier in the day, Andy Murray bowed out of the tournament. He suffered a straight set defeat against Grigor Dimitrov.

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US Open 2023 Day 4 Fixtures

Men’s Singles

• Andy Murray LOST TO Grigor Dimitrov – 3-6, 4-6, 1-6
• Carlos Alcaraz BEAT Lloyd Harris – 6-3, 6-1, 7-6(4)
• Daniil Medvedev BEAT Christopher O’Connell – 6-2, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-2

Women’s Singles

• Aryna Sabalenka BEAT Jodie Burrage – 6-3, 6-2
• Ons Jabeur BEAT Linda Noskova – 7-6, 4-6, 6-3

Andy Murray vs Grigor Dimitrov

he British charge at the U.S. Open will carry on without Andy Murray as Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov crushed the former champion 6-3 6-4 6-1 on Thursday to reach the third round.

Murray, playing some of his best tennis in years recently, could not match Dimitrov’s firepower as he struck 16 winners compared to 32 from the 19th seed.

Dimitrov will next face German Alexander Zverev, who beat his compatriot Daniel Altmaier 7-6 3-6 6-4 6-3. “I fought hard enough, but just didn’t play well enough. Ultimately these are the events that you want to play your best tennis in, and create more great moments and didn’t do that this year.”

Carlos Alcaraz vs Lloyd Harris

Carlos Alcaraz passed his first true test of the 2023 US Open on Thursday night, defeating spirited South African Lloyd Harris 6-3, 6-1, 7-6(4). 

Alcaraz received a second-set retirement from Dominik Kopefer (ankle) in his opening match, but got the opportunity to stress test his game against the powerful 26-year-old.

“I played a great match from the beginning of the match until the last ball,” Alcaraz said. “If I have to pick out something I think I played a good second set without many mistakes and playing my game,” said Alcaraz after the win.

Daniil Medvedev vs Christopher O’Connell

Daniil Medvedev will go to bed in the wee hours of Friday morning glad that he navigated through a late-night test in the US Open second round. The third seed defeated Australian Christopher O’Connell 6-2, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-2 to capture his 250th hard-court victory.

Aiming for his second major title this fortnight, Medvedev was nearly at his best in the opening two sets, displaying all-court coverage and pinning O’Connell with depth on his groundstrokes. Medvedev did not give up a point behind his first serve until 4-1, 40/15 in the second set. But a third-set surge from the Sydney native forced the World No. 3 to regain focus and stay on court until 1:10 a.m. to reach the third round.

Women’s Singles

Aryna Sabalenka vs Jodie Burrage

Aryna Sabalenka, with her sights firmly set on a second Grand Slam title and the world number one ranking, powered into the U.S. Open third round with a commanding 6-3 6-2 win over Britain’s Jodie Burrage on Thursday.

The Australian Open champion converted three of her four break point opportunities and saved the two break points she faced during the 74-minute match in Louis Armstrong Stadium.