The US Open 2026 delivered a mix of dominance and drama on Sunday. Coco Gauff, the 2023 champion, powered past Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round for the fifth consecutive year.
Despite trailing early in the opening set, Gauff found her rhythm, breaking Bucsa twice before sealing the win. “I’m just happy with how I fought through, even when I wasn’t playing my best,” Gauff said, reflecting on her steady progress into the second week.
Two-time champion Naomi Osaka survived a tense three-set battle against Belgium’s Elise Mertens, winning 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Osaka required a medical timeout in the deciding set but returned to finish strongly, setting up a blockbuster Round-of-16 clash against second seed Elena Rybakina.
Meanwhile, Iva Jovic produced one of the day’s most gripping contests, defeating close friend Alexandra Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a match lasting over three hours. The 18-year-old American struck 44 winners and converted nine of 17 break points to secure her maiden US Open fourth-round berth. Jovic will now face Gauff in a high-stakes all-American showdown.
Elsewhere, Iga Swiatek battled past Marie Bouzkova in two tight tiebreaks, 7-6(3), 7-6(3), extending her streak of reaching the US Open fourth round to six consecutive years. Swiatek will next meet Zheng Qinwen, against whom she holds a 7-1 head-to-head record.
With Gauff, Osaka, Jovic, and Swiatek advancing, the women’s draw promises blockbuster clashes as the tournament heads into its decisive second week.
