Alexander Zverev kept his US Open 2026 campaign on track with a straight-sets victory over Alejandro Tabilo, while Elena Rybakina also advanced to the fourth round with a convincing win on Saturday. The day ended in heartbreak for Alexandra Eala, who was edged by Iva Jovic in a three-set thriller at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Coco Gauff, Qinwen Zheng and Anastasia Potapova were among the other notable winners.
Alexander Zverev Beats Alejandro Tabilo
Top seed Alexander Zverev overcame Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-2 to reach the fourth round of the US Open.
The German was keen to avoid another marathon after spending nine hours and 26 minutes on court across back-to-back five-set matches against Lorenzo Sonego and Quentin Halys. This time, he managed to finish the job in straight sets.
Zverev raced through the opening set after breaking the 25th-seeded Tabilo twice. He then took a 4-2 lead in the second before his level dipped, allowing Tabilo to win three consecutive games.
The Chilean could not complete the comeback, however. Zverev regained his composure in the tiebreak and pulled away to take a two-set lead before breaking clear in the third.
“My coach was quite smart, he said that best-of-five sets doesn’t mean that you have to play five sets. I didn’t know it until now, that was quite helpful,” Zverev joked.
The 29-year-old will face 21st-seeded Italian Luciano Darderi in the fourth round.
Alexander Zverev got some clarification on what a best-of-five set match means 😅 pic.twitter.com/GWpmnCrgcQ
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2026
Qinwen Zheng Stuns Madison Keys
Qinwen Zheng produced one of the biggest comebacks of the day, recovering from 5-0 down in the third set to defeat No. 22 seed Madison Keys 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5.
The 2024 Olympic champion saved a match point with Keys serving at 5-1 before winning seven consecutive games to complete the remarkable turnaround. The match lasted two hours and 28 minutes.
“I’m just telling myself (to) keep holding every single point, never give up, stay there and somehow, little by little, it just happened,” Zheng said.
The victory is particularly significant given Zheng’s recent struggles following right elbow surgery. Ranked as high as No. 4 in 2024, she entered the US Open at No. 121 and had to come through qualifying to reach the main draw.
She will meet No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek in the fourth round after the former world No. 1 defeated Marie Bouzkova 7-6(3), 7-6(3).
Anastasia Potapova Defeats Amanda Anisimova
No. 24 seed Anastasia Potapova continued her rise with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over No. 10 seed Amanda Anisimova in one hour and 39 minutes.
Potapova broke back twice after Anisimova threatened to take control in the second set, eventually closing out the match in straight sets.
“Well, to be honest, we had tactics before the match, which don’t match my game, so it already was not easy,” Potapova said. “But the way I managed to use the tactics, I think it’s one of the best games that I’ve ever had.”
Potapova will face No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva in the fourth round.
Coco Gauff Continues US Open Run
No. 4 seed Coco Gauff defeated Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round for the fifth consecutive year.
The American has yet to drop a set at this year’s tournament and has now reached the Round of 16 at 11 of her last 13 Grand Slam events.
“I feel like I’m definitely used to getting the week 2s now, because I feel like I woke up today and I was like, ‘Oh, we’re already in round 3,’” Gauff said.
She will face fellow American Iva Jovic in the fourth round.
Iva Jovic Ends Alexandra Eala’s Run
Iva Jovic survived a three-hour battle against close friend Alexandra Eala, winning 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to reach the fourth round.
Jovic fought back after trailing by a break in the decisive set. She faced a break point while down 4-2 before holding serve and later had a match point at 5-4. Eala saved that opportunity, but Jovic converted another match point two games later.
“That felt like a marathon, and I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match, but it’s really worth it for this feeling,” Jovic said.
Eala, the No. 17 seed from the Philippines, saw her impressive run come to an end after reaching the third round. She entered the tournament after winning her first WTA Tour title at the DC Open in Washington last month.
Jovic will now meet Gauff for a place in the quarterfinals.
“I’m going to be more than happy to just bring this fight and this energy, and whatever happens, then I can leave with my head high,” Jovic said. “She’s playing some unbelievable tennis and a really great person, so it’s going to be an amazing match.”
Elena Rybakina Moves Into Fourth Round
No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina continued her run by defeating Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva 7-6(6), 6-3.
Rybakina fired 12 aces and converted four of her 13 break-point opportunities. Starodubtseva managed one ace and converted two of her three break-point chances.
The Kazakh will now continue her pursuit of a deep run at Flushing Meadows after another composed performance.
Naomi Osaka Survives Elise Mertens
No. 13 seed Naomi Osaka was pushed to three sets before defeating No. 23 seed Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
The four-time Grand Slam champion held the edge on serve, hitting nine aces to Mertens’ three while also committing fewer double faults.
Osaka converted four of 16 break-point opportunities, compared with three of 11 for Mertens, to secure her place in the fourth round.
(With inputs from Reuters)
