US Open 2025 Day 6 Highlights: Alcaraz, Djokovic, Sabalenka Shine

Day 6 of the 2025 U.S. Open was a wild ride. Fans got everything from dominant wins to surprise retirements and nail-biting matches that had everyone buzzing.

Ben Shelton’s sudden withdrawal and Taylor Fritz’s gritty victory were just part of the drama. Here’s a look at the day’s biggest moments and results at Flushing Meadows.

Ben Shelton’s Unexpected Exit

One of the day’s biggest shocks came when Ben Shelton, a rising American star, retired from his third-round match against Adrian Mannarino. He injured his left shoulder and just couldn’t continue.

Shelton, seeded sixth, had high hopes for this tournament. His withdrawal left fans disappointed and changed the whole vibe of the men’s draw.

The Impact on the Men’s Draw

Shelton’s exit gave Adrian Mannarino a free pass to the next round. Suddenly, the men’s bracket felt wide open, with plenty of top seeds still in the hunt.

Top Seeds Advance in the Men’s Draw

Even with Shelton out, other big names made it through. Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, put on a clinic against Luciano Darderi and won in straight sets.

Novak Djokovic, seeded seventh, also moved on after a tough win over Cameron Norrie. Both played with their usual intensity.

Notable Men’s Matches

• Carlos Alcaraz (2) def. Luciano Darderi (32) 6-2, 6-4, 6-0
• Arthur Rinderknech def. Benjamin Bonzi 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2
• Jiri Lehecka (20) def. Raphael Collignon 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
• Adrian Mannarino def. Ben Shelton (6) 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, (ret.)
• Jan-Lennard Struff def. Frances Tiafoe (17) 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7)
• Novak Djokovic (7) def. Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3
• Tomáš Macháč def. Ugo Blanchet 7-5, 6-3, 6-1
• Taylor Fritz (4) def. Jerome Kym 7-6 (2), 6-7 (9), 6-4, 6-4

Women’s Draw: Sabalenka and Pegula Shine

On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka—world number one—kept her hot streak alive, winning her 18th straight tiebreak and moving on in straight sets.

Jessica Pegula, the fourth seed, also advanced after beating Victoria Azarenka. Both looked sharp out there.

Key Women’s Matches

• Aryna Sabalenka (1) def. Leylah Fernandez (31) 6-3, 7-6(2)
• Jessica Pegula (4) def. Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 7-5
• Taylor Townsend def. Mirra Andreeva (5) 7-5, 6-2
• Markéta Vondroušová def. Jasmine Paolini (7) 7-6(4), 6-1
• Elena Rybakina (9) def. Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-2
• Barbora Krejčíková def. Emma Navarro (10) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
• Cristina Bucșa def. Elise Mertens (19) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
• Ann Li def. Priscilla Horn 7-5, 6-3

Taylor Fritz: A Hard-Fought Victory

Taylor Fritz survived one of the day’s most intense battles, edging out Jerome Kym in four sets. His serve was on fire—he blasted 20 aces and won 84 percent of his first-serve points.

This win sends Fritz into the fourth round, where he’ll meet Tomáš Macháč. Not a bad place to be, honestly.

Fritz’s Post-Match Reflections

Afterward, Fritz thanked the lively Louis Armstrong crowd for their energy. He admitted Kym gave him plenty of trouble but said he’s already thinking about the next match.

Taylor Townsend’s Remarkable Upset

Taylor Townsend pulled off a huge upset, taking down fifth seed Mirra Andreeva in straight sets. This is Townsend’s first trip to the U.S. Open round of 16 in six years.

She played with real power and smarts, which made all the difference. You could see how much it meant to her.

Townsend’s Inspirational Message

In her post-match chat, Townsend talked about the importance of representation and staying authentic. She thanked her supporters and said she’s already looking ahead to her doubles match, reminding everyone her job’s not done yet.

Looking Ahead

The U.S. Open keeps rolling, and the competition looks ready to heat up even more. Top seeds are moving forward, but there have already been a few surprises.

Honestly, who knows what’s coming next? The next few days promise some wild tennis, with players fighting for a shot at the title in Flushing Meadows.

Curious about live updates or full match results? Check out the official U.S. Open 2025 live updates.