Defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal won a hard-fought match against Russian Karen Khachanov, lasting over four hours, on Friday to move into the fourth round of the competition.
Nadal, the world number 1, came back from being a set down to defeat Khachanov 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/3). Nadal, who is seeking a fourth US Open title, will now play Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Nadal lauded 22-year-old Khachanov's prowess, saying, “He has everything. I really see him winning a lot of matches.” Khachanov had served two sets to love lead in the 10th game of the second set and pushed Nadal to tiebreakers in the last two sets.
In the women's tournament, Serena Williams cruised to the fourth round with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over sister Venus Williams on Friday. Serena now leads Venus 18:12 in matches between the sisters.
Serena described it as her best match since returning to active competition in March; Serena had given birth to her daughter last September. Venus said Serena “just did everything right” in the match.
Serena, who is looking to claim a seventh US Open title, will now face Kaia Kanepi of Estonia. Kanepi had won an upset victory over world number 1 Simona Halep in the first round.
(With agency inputs)