Extreme heat tests US Open players as Djokovic and Gauff move forward

Sabalenka celebrates victory with young fan dressed like her, complete with matching tiger tattoo

NEW YORK:

Steamy conditions tested players at the US Open on Wednesday, but defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff both progressed to the third round, while Aryna Sabalenka celebrated her win with a photograph alongside a mini version of herself.

A sweat-soaked Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, appeared uncomfortable under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. He had to fight back from 2-4 down in the second set before his fellow Serbian Laslo Djere retired due to injury, with the score at 6-4 6-4 2-0. "It's not what we want, it's not what the crowd wants," Djokovic said, acknowledging Djere's struggle with fitness.

Meanwhile, Germany's fourth seed Alexander Zverev swiftly defeated France's Alexandre Muller 6-4 7-6(5) 6-1 in the intense heat at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Zverev welcomed the quick win, saying, "The less time I spend on the court, the better it is."

In other matches, American Madison Keys cruised past Australian qualifier Maya Joint 6-4 6-0, while Tomas Martin Etcheverry vomited during his five-set win over Francisco Cerundolo due to the extreme conditions.

Sabalenka, last year's finalist and a resident of Miami, handled the humid weather with ease, securing a 6-3 6-1 win over Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti. Sabalenka celebrated by taking pictures with a young fan dressed similarly to her, calling it "an adorable moment" and expressing her desire to inspire the next generation.

Gauff also performed well, overcoming early errors to defeat Germany's Tatjana Maria 6-4 6-0, while Victoria Azarenka battled through a migraine to beat Clara Burel 6-1 6-4. Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud both secured hard-fought wins, with Ruud’s match temporarily halted due to a lightning warning. Taylor Fritz advanced with a comfortable 6-3 7-6(1) 6-1 victory over Matteo Berrettini.