The Williams sisters make their comeback at the Grand Slam, while Pegula and Shelton encounter challenging matches at the US Open

The U.S. Open singles draw advances to the third round on Friday, featuring top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz, along with local favorites Jessica Pegula and Ben Shelton.

The women's doubles competition is ongoing at Flushing Meadows, featuring Serena and Venus Williams teaming up at a Grand Slam for the first time in four years.

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: JESSICA PEGULA VS. LEYLAH FERNANDEZ

Third seed Jessica Pegula, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, has advanced to the third round without losing a set, winning both of her matches decisively, and has not faced a break point yet.


The 32-year-old American has been demonstrating her skills in New York, utilizing her precision and reliability to control points and minimize chances for her opponents.

Her next test comes against 23-year-old Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 runner-up, who has demonstrated signs of regaining her best form in New York following a challenging Grand Slam season, advancing with victories over Mananchaya Sawangkaew and Zhang Shuai.

Leylah presents a significant challenge on the court. Competing against a left-handed player always adds an element of difficulty," Pegula shared with reporters on Wednesday. "Her aggressive style is quite formidable. She skillfully alters the ball's direction, strikes impressive angles, and excels as a returner.


Pegula holds a 3-1 advantage in their head-to-head matchups and triumphed in their latest encounter in Miami earlier this year. However, Fernandez's aggressive returning and established success at Flushing Meadows are likely to provide a significant challenge for the American.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: BEN SHELTON VS DENIS SHAPOVALOV

Ben Shelton aims to advance his U.S. Open journey as he takes on Canada's Denis Shapovalov in an exciting third-round matchup, with Shelton being the eighth seed.

The 23-year-old triumphed in a four-set clash against Hubert Hurkacz, advancing to the third round in New York for the third consecutive year.

Standing in his way is former U.S. Open quarter-finalist Shapovalov, who has lost just one set through two rounds andarrives with confidencem after reaching the Los Cabos final.

The Canadian has showcased his skills at Flushing Meadows by maintaining a low error count while employing his aggressive style to take charge of points. However, he is set to encounter a tough opponent in fellow left-hander Shelton.

Shelton boasts a 4-0 record against Shapovalov, though their encounters have often been complicated. Their Wimbledon clash in 2024 extended to the maximum length, while the Canadian secured the opening set before Shelton made a comeback to win their Dallas semi-final earlier this year.

Their latest meeting took place in Dallas in February, where Shelton's win propelled him toward the title.

Shapovalov possesses the firepower to challenge any opponent, yet Shelton's strong serve and superior consistency from the baseline may provide the American with an advantage.

WILLIAMS SISTERS MAKE A COMEBACK

Two-time U.S. Open doubles champions Serena and Venus Williams are set to reunite at a Grand Slam for the first time since 2022, as they take on the 14th seeds Chan Hao-Ching and Maya Joint in the first round on Friday.

Serena, 44, made her return to doubles competition in June after nearly four years away, teaming up with Canadian Victoria Mboko at Queen's Club and Karolina Muchova in Berlin before resuming her singles career at Wimbledon.

The sisters had also intended to compete together at the All England Club, but Serena's knee injury necessitated their withdrawal. They reestablished their partnership in Cincinnati last month but unfortunately faced a first-round defeat.  unfortunately faced a first-round defeat.

Venus, 46, has arrived in the U.S. Open women's doubles quarter-finals alongside Fernandez last year, and she will hope for a similar run with her sister.

They face a tough first challenge against Chan and Joint, who have had a strong start to their partnership, reaching the Memphis final, the second round in Toronto, and the quarter-finals in Cincinnati.

Joint also triumphed over Serena in the first round at Wimbledon earlier this summer, marking the only singles match of the American's comeback to date.

U.S. OPEN ORDER OF PLAY ON FRIDAY (prefix number indicates seeding):

ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM (1530 GMT/1130 ET)

3-Jessica Pegula (U.S.) vs. 31-Leylah Fernandez (Canada)
Yibing Wu from China faces off against Carlos Alcaraz from Spain.
Serena Williams (U.S.) and Venus Williams (U.S.) versus 14-Chan Hao-Ching (China) and Maya Joint (Australia)
8-Ben Shelton (U.S.) vs. Denis Shapovalov (Canada) LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM (1500 GMT/1100 ET)

1-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) vs. Kamilla Rakhimova (Uzbekistan)
15-Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan) vs. 20-Tommy Paul (U.S.) 22-Valentin Vacherot (Monaco) vs. 11-Frances Tiafoe (U.S.) 9-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) vs. Anna Kalinskaya (Russia)