Eala, Osaka, Zverev Advance; No. 3 Auger-Aliassime Out at US Open
Source: Voice of Alexandria Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd was treated to a feast of tennis on Thursday, with a mix of resilience, heartbreak, and sheer survival marking the second round of the U.S. Open. The day's biggest storylines revolved around the women's draw, where a Filipino sensation and a former champion found their footing, while the men's side saw the top seed barely escape and a high seed exit early.
Alex Eala, the 17th seed from the Philippines, wasted no time in asserting her dominance. She won the first nine points against Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova, who had beaten her in their only prior meeting. The final score of 6-1, 6-4 sent the partisan crowd into a frenzy. "I think everybody represents something in their own way; I'm Filipino and I proudly represent that," Eala said. "A lot of the crowd here today is Filipino and I'm sure they share in that sentiment." Her victory secured passage to the third round, where she will join Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, who also advanced on Thursday.
Osaka, the No. 13 seed, arrived on court in a striking silver-and-white outfit under a long white jacket, a stark contrast to her black Allen Iverson-inspired look from three days earlier. She raced through the first set 6-2 in 30 minutes and built a 4-2 lead in the second. But her game unraveled, with 20 unforced errors in that set compared to only four in the first. Katerina Siniakova capitalized, taking the second set 7-5. Osaka, however, regained her composure during a bathroom break. "I definitely had a couple opportunities in the second set and I think I was a little bit too hard on myself," Osaka said. "So I took the bathroom break, regrouped a little, came back and just tried to have no regrets." She broke Siniakova early in the third set, finishing a 19-shot rally with a delicate volley winner, and went on to win 6-1.
Coco Gauff, champion in 2023, faced a tough test from Paula Badosa, who was playing her third consecutive day after rain delays. Gauff won 6-4, 7-6 (5) under the lights. "Paula's a tough player," Gauff noted. "I don't think there was too much I did wrong. I feel like she really stepped it up."
The men's draw was a battlefield. Top seed Alexander Zverev, who had already needed five sets to win his first-round match, found himself in another marathon. He battled Quentin Halys for 4 hours and 30 minutes, finally prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-7 (3), 6-3. The match ended at 2:15 a.m., making it the second-latest second-round finish in U.S. Open history. Zverev became the first top-seeded man to play back-to-back five-set matches to start a Grand Slam in the Open Era. He avoided the earliest exit by a No. 1 seed since Andre Agassi in 2000.
Not everyone was so fortunate. No. 3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime struggled with dizziness and seeing spots, falling to Karen Khachanov 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. "Karen is a great player. Look, I cannot beat him or anybody in this draw feeling the way I felt today," Auger-Aliassime said. "If I cannot move, we're not talking about tennis here." He became the highest seed eliminated, surpassing Novak Djokovic, who lost in the first round. No. 6 Alex de Minaur also exited, losing in straight sets to Botic van de Zandschulp, making four top-10 men's seeds out before the third round.
Madison Keys, the 2017 runner-up, produced the comeback of the day. She saved five match points against Anna Bondar, eventually winning 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (10-5). "That was something, huh? No stress, though, we all knew I had it right?" Keys joked to the crowd.
Other winners included 2022 champion Iga Swiatek, 2025 runner-up Amanda Anisimova, and Taylor Fritz, who cruised past Mattia Bellucci 6-0, 6-1, 6-1. Fifth-seeded Flavio Cobolli defeated Tristan Schoolkate in four sets. In doubles, play began, with Serena and Venus Williams scheduled to face Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint on Friday night. The tournament also saw Gael Monfils, likely playing his final Grand Slam singles match at age 40, lose to No. 14 Learner Tien.
Article commentary
The second round of the U.S. Open has been a masterclass in the sport's unpredictability, showcasing both the unyielding spirit of champions and the cruel reality of physical limitations. Thursday's matches revealed a tournament that is punishing the favorites, particularly on the men's side, where four of the top ten seeds have already been sent packing. This carnage is not just a fluke; it reflects a deeper shift in the competitive landscape. Starting with the men, Alexander Zverev's survival is a double-edged sword. While his grit is commendable, spending over nine hours on court in two matches is a recipe for disaster as the tournament deepens. The top seed can't afford such energy drains, especially when players like Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic are not in the draw (Djokovic lost early). Zverev is lucky to be alive, but his path to the title now looks perilous. The exit of Felix Auger-Aliassime due to dizziness raises questions about player health under the grueling New York conditions. The Canadian's honesty about his physical state is refreshing, but it also highlights how quickly a promising run can be derailed. The absence of Djokovic and now Auger-Aliassime opens the door for dark horses like Karen Khachanov, who played a near-flawless match once the third seed's movement faltered. On the women's side, the narrative is more about resilience. Naomi Osaka's mid-match wobble followed by a composed recovery demonstrates her evolving mental game. Unlike the younger version of herself who might have spiraled, she took a strategic break and returned with clarity. Her third-round match will be a true test. Similarly, Coco Gauff's ability to close out a tough opponent in Badosa, who was playing her third consecutive day, shows maturity. However, the real story is Alex Eala. The Filipino teenager is not just a fan favorite; she is a legitimate threat. Her aggressive start against Oliynykova and her calm demeanor suggest she could make a deep run, especially with the crowd behind her. She represents a new wave of Asian tennis talent, and her presence adds a layer of excitement to the tournament. Madison Keys' escape from five match points is a testament to the fine margins in tennis. But it also serves as a warning: she cannot rely on such heroics repeatedly. The women's draw remains wide open, with Iga Swiatek looking dominant and Amanda Anisimova lurking. The absence of a clear favorite, after early exits by some top seeds, makes this one of the most unpredictable U.S. Opens in recent memory. The doubles debut of Serena and Venus Williams in the evening session adds nostalgia, but the real intrigue lies in whether the singles contenders can sustain their momentum. Thursday's results have set the stage for a weekend of high drama, with the underdogs sniffing blood and the survivors looking to conserve energy. The next few days will separate the contenders from the pretenders.