RismadarVoice Reporters
September 6, 2026
Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz will face strong home challenges as the US Open enters the round of 16, with both players seeking to continue their title defences at Flushing Meadows.
World number one Sabalenka will take on American Taylor Townsend in the women’s draw, while second seed Alcaraz is set to meet Tommy Paul in the men’s competition.
Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round after producing another dominant performance, defeating Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets with the help of 10 aces.
The Belarusian, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has not dropped a set at this year’s tournament and is aiming to win a third consecutive US Open title. She has reached at least the semi-finals in each of the last five editions of the competition.
However, she faces an ambitious Townsend, who is attempting to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final.
“I think this is the freest I’ve ever been on the court. It’s my time, I’m ready to take it,” Townsend said ahead of the match.
In the men’s draw, Alcaraz will meet American Tommy Paul in what is expected to be a difficult contest for the defending champion.
The Spaniard has won each of his last five meetings with Paul, but the American has consistently pushed him in their previous encounters, forcing several tight tie-break situations.
Alcaraz acknowledged the threat posed by Paul, describing him as a dangerous opponent capable of challenging top players.
Paul enters the match after a hard-fought victory over Alexander Bublik, who defeated him at last year’s US Open.
Meanwhile, eighth seed Ben Shelton faces a challenging encounter against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Shelton has endured a difficult tournament so far, dropping a set in each of his opening three matches and being pushed into four tie-breaks. Despite making 54 unforced errors during his rain-affected third-round match against Denis Shapovalov, the American recovered to secure victory.
Tsitsipas previously defeated Shelton in 2023 and will be looking to repeat that result as both players compete for a place in the quarter-finals.
Other scheduled fourth-round matches include Daniil Medvedev against Frances Tiafoe, Jessica Pegula facing Sorana Cirstea, and Emma Navarro taking on Anna Kalinskaya.
The US Open round of 16 is expected to feature a mixture of defending champions, rising American players and established international contenders as the tournament moves closer to its final stages.
