Tsitsipas, Osaka schooled by spunky teenagers

NEW YORK, September 4

Defending champion Naomi Osaka and third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas became high-profile casualties in the third round of the US Open on Friday as two 18-year-olds announced themselves on the big stage by advancing to the last-16 for the first time.

Two-time champion Osaka’s title defence ended in tears as she suffered a stunning 5-7 7-6(2) 6-4 loss to Canadian Leylah Fernandez. Later the Japanese star said she planned to take a break from the sport. “I honestly don’t know when I’m going to play my next tennis match,” Osaka said. “I think I’m going to take a break.”

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, the heir apparent to Rafa Nadal, upset Tsitsipas 6-3 4-6 7-6 (2) 0-6 7-6 (5) to move into the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.

Second seeds Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka advanced with straight-set victories, while Angelique Kerber beat Sloane Stephens 5-7 6-2 6-3 in the battle of the former champions. Romania’s Simona Halep outlasting Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina 7-6(11) 4-6 6-3. — Reuters

Sania-Ram ousted

New York: The Indo-American pair of Sania Mirza and Rajeev Ram made a first-round exit from the US Open mixed doubles event after losing to Dayana Yastremska from Ukraine and Australia’s Max Purcell, here. The unseeded Mirza and Ram lost 3-6 6-3 7-10 to their opponents in just 61 minutes on Friday night. Mirza and Ram could convert only one of the three break chances that came their way while the winners converted the only break point they got in the match. PTI