What to watch out for on the fourth day of the US Open: Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek want to advance

Follow live coverage of the fourth day of the 2024 US Open

On the fourth day of the US Open, the second round will be completed and the top halves of the draws will attempt to advance to the last 32.

Carlos Alcaraz remains committed to his third consecutive Grand Slam title, while Iga Swiatek will look to improve on her shaky first-round performance.

The following can be seen on the three show courts and around the grounds:

Arthur Ashe

Time Event: 12:00 p.m. ET, 9:00 a.m. PT
TV: ESPN, Tennis Channel

Jannik Sinner (1) against Alex Michelsen

World number one Jannik Sinner is looking for a home win at Arthur Ashe for the second year in a row. He got off to a rocky start against Mackenzie McDonald but recovered to easily beat Michelsen’s compatriot. Michelsen, meanwhile, edged out Eliot Spizzirri. Spizzirri, a qualifier, played one of the tournament’s matches before the main draw had even begun when he beat Joao Fonseca to reach the main draw. Michelsen made short work of him, but Sinner is a whole different order of magnitude.

Iga Swiatek (1) versus Ena Shibahara

Iga Swiatek edged another qualifier, Kamilla Rakhimova, but made 29 unforced errors in the second set, which went to a tiebreak when it really shouldn’t have. One of the WTA Tour’s preeminent topspin artists, Swiatek has produced excellent results against overpowering opponents, particularly at the French Open. But the subtlety, versatility and controlled aggressiveness that characterized her game when she burst onto the scene in 2020 have essentially disappeared, and that leaves her vulnerable in matches when her opponents offer some resistance. Shibahara, ranked 39th in doubles, won a match tiebreak to defeat Australia’s Daria Saville after winning two more three-set matches in qualifying to advance to the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.

Naomi Osaka (WC) against Karolina Muchova

A two-time US Open champion takes on last year’s US Open finalist. This could be the match of the day, between two players – both unseeded, both returning from a break – with different playing styles and fantastic personalities. Osaka has already reminded the tennis world of the appeal of her superstar status, while Muchova hit the shot of the tournament on day two.

Carlos Alcaraz (3) against Botic van de Zandschulp

Carlos Alcaraz losing concentration against an opponent at his peak, completely helpless and with nothing left to lose? Lots of such cases. Tuesday night it was Li Tu’s turn, who found time to smile at the victory; he played superb tennis to win the second set without pressure; and smashed an underarm serve into the bottom of the net. He smiled at that too. Alcaraz, the smiler of all, proved lethal, winning in four sets and saving the most brutal for last. Van de Zandschulp took advantage of a scratchy Denis Shapovalov to win in straight sets and secure a place under the floodlights on the sport’s biggest court.

GO DEEPER

Naomi Osaka and the appeal of a superstar at the US Open

Louis Armstrong

Time Event: 11am ET, 8am PT
TV: ESPN, Tennis Channel

Tomas Machac vs. Sebastian Korda (16)

Korda, whose game is fluid when he is on form, easily beat dangerous French surfer Corentin Moutet in the first round. Tomas Machac, the man with the shortest shorts in tennis – and a recent Olympic gold medalist in mixed doubles – is another dangerous opponent. Korda is less vulnerable to pique than Moutet and will need to maintain his concentration if he is to continue the American men’s tournament success.

Karolina Pliskova vs. Jasmine Paolini (5)

Italy’s Paolini has become so dynamic on the WTA tour this year that it’s hard to believe she did it from nowhere. A win on hard court at the 1000 tournament in Dubai (one step below a Grand Slam) was little more than a good result. Then came the French Open final. Then came the Wimbledon final. In New York, her deceptive power and intelligent use of angles are back, and Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic will likely have a hard time keeping up with her.

Sofia Kenin vs Jessica Pegula (6)

Sofia Kenin defeated 2021 champion Emma Raducanu in three sets with a display of sliced ​​forehands, well-judged moonballs and crisp groundstrokes that sent a player already lacking rhythm into a tailspin. Kenin is incredibly difficult to beat when she’s on form, but she has a tendency to get into a tailspin herself when she’s already got her opponent in the washing machine. She can’t afford that against Pegula, a model of baseline consistency who is once again trying to get past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament.

Daniil Medvedev won his only Grand Slam title to date in New York in 2021. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Fabian Marozsan vs. Daniil Medvedev (5)

Hungarian Marozsan is one of many floaters in the men’s singles that no one particularly wants to face – but she has struggled to translate her numerous three-set wins at Grand Slam tournaments into action. Medvedev, the 2021 champion, should have had enough in five sets.

Caroline Wozniacki vs Renata Zarazua

Wozniacki came out of retirement at last year’s US Open, making a memorable run to the fourth round. In the midst of her first year back on the tour after having two children, the Dane will face Renata Zarazua of Mexico, who caused a major upset by knocking out French No. 30 Caroline Garcia in the first round.

Grandstand

Time Event: 11am ET, 8am PT
TV: ESPN, Tennis Channel

Yulia Putintseva (30) against Xinyu Wang

Mirra Andreeva (21) against Ashlyn Kreuger

Andreeva, 17, is a true phenomenon in the youth tennis world. She has an unusually high IQ on the court for her age and a winning sense of humor off it. She will pose a great challenge to Kreuger, who ended a six-match losing streak at Grand Slam tournaments to reach the second round.

Mirra Andreeva reached the semifinals of the French Open earlier this year. (Robert Prange / Getty Images)

Alex de Minaur (10) vs. Otto Virtanen (Q)

Max Purcell vs Tommy Paul (14)

Around the site

Time Event: 11am ET, 8am PT
TV: ESPN, Tennis Channel

Clara Tauson vs. Diana Shnaider (18) — first on Court 7

An explosive encounter on Court 7. Shnaider is perhaps the most promising player of the WTA’s “next generation”, having won silver in the women’s doubles alongside Andreeva at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Russian duo competed under the Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) banner. Tauson, on the other hand, is looking to emulate the path of her compatriot Wozniacki. After breaking into the WTA top 50 in 2021 and looking to continue climbing, Tauson has been plagued by injuries. In 2024, she will be looking to fulfil the potential she showed three years ago when she enjoyed her best Grand Slam run to date at the French Open, where she reached the fourth round.

Jordan Thompson vs. Hurbert Hurkacz (7) — first in Stadium 17

Facundo Diaz Acosta vs. Jack Draper (25) — Third on Court 5

Elena Rybakina (4) vs. Jessika Ponchet (Q) — Fourth in Stadium 17

The highlight on Wednesday

Required reading

(Top photo of Carlos Alcaraz: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)