Alcaraz bageled Djokovic to claim a set, 9th seed suffers a shocking exit, Medvedev fined $300,000, Sabalenka wins in a decisive tiebreak

Three minutes daily to catch up on global tennis news. Hello tennis fans, today is Thursday, August 28, 2025. Welcome to the midday news report brought to you by Tennis Home.

Last night and early this morning Beijing time, the 2025 US Open commenced its fourth day of matches. In men’s singles second round, No. 2 seed Alcaraz was in blazing form, delivering a 6-1 6-0 6-3 bagel victory over Italian Berrettini, advancing strongly into the round of 32. Next, he will face another Italian, Darderi, who defeated wildcard Spizzirri 6-0 7-6(3) 2-6 6-4.

Four-time champion and Serbian star Djokovic faced some trouble, losing the first set 6-7(5), but then fought back to win the next three sets 6-3 6-3 6-1, overturning qualifier Schweida. This marks Djokovic’s 75th time reaching the Grand Slam round of 32, surpassing Federer’s 74, making him the all-time leader. Djokovic will next meet British player Norrie, who ousted Argentina’s Coria in four sets.

American top player Fritz and Black American Tiafoe both battled through four-set matches, winning 3-1; Brazilian rising star Fonseca was defeated by Czech Mahach 7-6(4) 6-2 6-3. Nordic duo Rune and Ruud both fell in the second round: No. 11 seed Rune lost in five sets 6-7(5) 6-2 3-6 6-4 5-7 to German qualifier Struff; No. 12 seed Ruud was eliminated by Belgian Goffin 6-4 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-5.

No. 16 seed Menšík was upset by qualifier Brancaccio in a thrilling five-set match decided by a 7-6(10-7) final set tiebreak; No. 18 seed Fucsovics also lost in five sets to Frenchman Linderknech 6-4 3-6 2-6 6-2 6-3; No. 30 seed Brandon Nakashima fell in the deciding set tiebreak to qualifier Kecmanovic; Czech Lehečka and Frenchman Bonzi advanced with victories.

No. 5 seed and Britain’s top player Draper unexpectedly withdrew before the match due to injury, granting Belgian opponent Bogaerts a walkover into the round of 32.

Additionally, Russian star Medvedev, who was upset in the first round, received a fine from the US Open. Due to unsportsmanlike conduct involving racket smashing, he was fined $42,500, approximately 300,000 RMB.

On the women’s side: In the second round of singles, No. 4 seed Pegula defeated Russian Blinkova 6-1 6-3, earning her 20th US Open win and advancing smoothly. She will face former world No. 1 Azarenka next; No. 5 seed Mira Andreeva beat compatriot Potapova 6-1 6-3, achieving her best US Open result by reaching the round of 32 for the first time. She will next play American Townsend, who eliminated No. 25 seed Ostapenko 7-5 6-1.

No. 7 seed Badosa defeated home favorite Jovic 6-3 6-3 to advance. She will next face Czech star Vančurová, who upset No. 32 seed Kessler 7-6(6) 6-2; No. 9 seed Rybakina beat 18-year-old Czech qualifier Valentova 6-3 7-6(7), securing her spot in the round of 32. She will clash with Britain’s top player Raducanu, who cruised past Indonesian qualifier Janis 6-2 6-1.

Other winners advancing include Ann Li, Han Tianyu, Krejcikova, Navarro, Buksha, and Mertens. In a key match that ended around noon Beijing time today, top seed and world No. 1 Sabalenka defeated Russian Potapova 7-6(4) 6-2 to progress. She will next face Canadian star Fernandez.

Finally, let’s guess and identify. The image below shows a player lying on the ground celebrating a victory. Without any hints, can you recognize who he is?

Last time’s guess was answered correctly by some fans. Yes, the person in the picture is American star Anisimova.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Maverick)