US Open: Djokovic, Sabalenka Cruise to 4th Round; Krejcikova Upsets Navarro

Djokovic Battles Past Norrie to Reach US Open Fourth Round.

Novak Djokovic took another step towards a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title on Friday, grinding past Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3 to move into the fourth round of the 2025 U.S. Open.

The 38-year-old Serb, who has struggled with injuries this season, looked briefly hampered by a lower-back problem but summoned trademark resilience to maintain his unbeaten record against Norrie. After breaking for 4-3 in the first set with a forehand winner, Djokovic needed medical treatment off court before returning to close out the opener. Norrie, however, capitalised on a dip in the Serb’s serving speed to snatch the second set in a tiebreak.

Djokovic quickly reasserted control, stringing together three straight games in the third set and even pausing mid-match to hush a noisy spectator at Arthur Ashe Stadium. By the fourth set, he was in full command, closing out the contest to book a clash with Jan-Lennard Struff in the last 16.

Sabalenka Gains Revenge on Fernandez

On the women’s side, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka avenged her 2021 U.S. Open semi-final defeat to Leylah Fernandez with a 6-3, 7-6(2) win.

After surviving a tense opening game that featured three break points, the Belarusian settled into rhythm, breaking in the fourth game to control the first set. Fernandez pushed hard in the second, forcing a tiebreak, but Sabalenka raced to a 6-1 lead before sealing victory with a forehand winner.

“I really wanted this revenge,” Sabalenka said after extending her flawless U.S. Open third-round record to 6-0. She now remains on track to chase Serena Williams’ mark of consecutive titles at Flushing Meadows.

Krejcikova Stuns Navarro in Comeback

Former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova produced one of the upsets of the day, rallying past American Emma Navarro 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Navarro started brightly, surging to a 5-1 lead in the opener before closing it out 6-4. Krejcikova responded in kind, building a 4-0 cushion in the second and holding off a late fightback to level the match.

In the decider, Navarro broke early to go 3-0 up, but Krejcikova stormed back with five straight games to turn the contest around. After Navarro cut the gap to 5-4, the Czech held firm to serve out the win and reach the last 16.