New Delhi: Novak Djokovic delivered his sharpest performance of the fortnight when he dispatched Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets to return to the US Open quarter-finals. After grinding through back-to-back four-set battles earlier in the tournament, the Serbian looked far more comfortable under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium as he won the match 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 in just one hour and 49 minutes. This victory marked his fourteenth quarter-final entry at Flushing Meadows.
It was a relief for Djokovic after a tricky first week where he dealt with both difficult opponents and some physical issues. The 24-time Grand Slam champion again required treatment from ATP physiotherapist Clay Sniteman, who worked on his shoulder, neck and forearm during changeovers. Still, the 38-year-old showed few signs of discomfort as he controlled the match from start to finish.
Struff had stunned Holger Rune and Frances Tiafoe to reach the fourth round but failed to find the same aggressive rhythm against Djokovic. The four time US Open champion broke serve six times and leaned on his improved serving to stay out of trouble as he said afterwards, “It definitely helps if you serve well. I out-served one of the biggest servers of the tournament, and that makes my life easier on the court.”
Playing all the right notes tonight 😁@usopen #USOpen pic.twitter.com/AmOhsh7tjg
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 1, 2025
Djokovic will face American fourth seed Taylor Fritz next. He leads Fritz 10-0 in their head-to-head and will start as heavy favourite, though his physical condition will continue to be watched closely. Fritz is the last US man standing in the draw and himself advanced with a commanding win over Tomas Machac earlier in the day.
Alcaraz downs Rinderknech
The defending champion Carlos Alcaraz also powered into the last eight. The Spaniard defeated Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4 to remain unbeaten in this year’s tournament. After edging a tight opening set, Alcaraz adjusted his return position and began to pick apart the Rinderknech serve.
Carlos Alcaraz reaches the quarterfinals at all four Slams in one season for the first time in his career! pic.twitter.com/ndr40MZ1Um
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2025
One dazzling behind-the-back flick in the first set brought Arthur Ashe Stadium to its feet and underlined Alcaraz’s flair. “Sometimes I practise it,” he admitted afterwards. “If the chance is there, why not? I think the people enjoy it and I enjoy it too.” With this win, Alcaraz became the youngest man in the Open Era to reach 13 Grand Slam quarter-finals. He will face Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka for a place in the semis.
Sabalenka dominates again
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka showed no signs of slowing down as she kept her streak of advancing without dropping a single set. She dispatched Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-4 in a match that got delayed by over three hours but finished in just 73 minutes. The Belarusian dominated the first set with heavy hitting and then stayed steady in a tighter second set to close it out without facing a single break point.
After the match the reigning champion said, “I’m not playing not to lose; I play to win.” The victory secured her a fifth straight quarter-final at Flushing Meadows, extending her run of consistency at the year’s final Slam.