What to watch at U.S. Open on day 4: Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek look to progress (2024)

Day 4 of the U.S. Open concludes the second round, with the top halves of the draws looking to move into the last 32.

Carlos Alcaraz continues his pursuit of a third consecutive Grand Slam title, while Iga Swiatek will be looking to improve on a shaky first-round performance.

Here’s what to watch on the three show courts and around the grounds:

Arthur Ashe

Start time: Noon ET, 9 a.m. PT
TV: ESPN, Tennis Channel

Jannik Sinner (1) vs. Alex Michelsen

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner faces a home hope on Arthur Ashe for the second consecutive round. He had a wobbly start against Mackenzie McDonald but recovered to ease past Michelsen’s compatriot. Michelsen, meanwhile, put out Eliot Spizzirri. Spizzirri, a qualifier, played one of the matches of the tournament before the main draw had even started when he defeated Joao Fonseca to reach the main draw. Michelsen made short work of him, but Sinner is another order of magnitude.

Iga Swiatek (1) vs. Ena Shibahara

Iga Swiatek got past another qualifier, Kamilla Rakhimova, but she hit 29 unforced errors in a second set that went to a tiebreak. Swiatek, who is one of the most prodigious creators of topspin on the WTA Tour, has had outstanding results from overpowering opponents, especially at the French Open, but the subtlety, variety, and controlled aggression that defined her game when she broke on to the scene in 2020 is essentially no more and it’s leaving her vulnerable to matches when opponents put in some resistance. Shibahara, ranked world No. 39 for doubles, won a match tiebreak to take out the Australian Daria Saville, after winning two more three-set matches in qualifying to get into the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.

Naomi Osaka (WC) vs. Karolina Muchova

A two-time U.S. Open champion faces last year’s U.S. Open semifinalist. This has the potential to be the match of the day, between two players — both unseeded, both returning from time away — with contrasting game styles and fantastic personalities. Osaka has already reminded the tennis world of the gravitational pull of her superstardom, while Muchova hit the shot of the tournament on the second day.

Carlos Alcaraz (3) vs. Botic van de Zandschulp

Carlos Alcaraz losing some focus against a peaking, completely unfancied opponent with nothing to lose? Many such cases. It was the turn of Li Tu Tuesday night, who found time to smile at winning a game; play lights-out tennis to win the second set while under no pressure; and lump an underarm serve into the bottom of the net. He smiled about that, too. Alcaraz, the smiliest of them all, proved deadly with it, winning in four sets and saving the most brutal for last. Van de Zandschulp took advantage of a scratchy Denis Shapovalov to win in straight sets and book a place under the lights on the biggest court in the sport.

Louis Armstrong

Start time: 11 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. PT
TV: ESPN, Tennis Channel

Tomas Machac vs. Sebastian Korda (16)

Korda, whose game is fluid when he is on, eased past dangerous French firestarter Corentin Moutet in the first round. Tomas Machac, he of the shortest shorts in tennis — and more recently an Olympic gold medal in mixed doubles — is another dangerous opponent. Less prone to pique than Moutet, Korda will have to maintain his focus if he wants to continue a successful tournament for the American men.

Karolina Pliskova vs. Jasmine Paolini (5)

Italian Paolini has become such a livewire presence on the WTA Tour this year that it’s hard to remember that she has done so out of nowhere. A hard-court triumph in the Dubai 1000-level tournament (one rung below a Grand Slam) didn’t figure much beyond a good result. Then came the French Open final. Then came the Wimbledon final. In New York, her deceptive power and intelligent use of angles are back and Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic will likely find it hard to live with her.

Sofia Kenin vs. Jessica Pegula (6)

Sofia Kenin took out 2021 champion Emma Raducanu in three sets, with a display of slice forehands, judicious moonballs, and ripped groundstrokes that sent a player already lacking rhythm into a tailspin. Kenin is incredibly hard to beat when she’s on, but she has a tendency to go into a spin herself when she already has her opponent in the washing machine. She can’t afford that against Pegula, a model of baseline consistency who is once again looking to get past the quarterfinal of a Grand Slam tournament.

Fabian Marozsan vs. Daniil Medvedev (5)

Hungarian Marozsan is one of many men’s draw floaters that nobody particularly wants to face — but he’s found it difficult to convert his numerous three-set scalps to Grand Slam success. Medvedev, the 2021 champion, should have enough in five.

Caroline Wozniacki vs. Renata Zarazua

Wozniacki came out of retirement at last year’s U.S. Open, making a memorable run to the fourth round. Deep into her first year back on tour after having two children, the Dane faces Renata Zarazua of Mexico, who pulled off a huge upset by knocking out French No. 30 seed Caroline Garcia in the opening round.

Grandstand

Start time: 11 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. PT
TV: ESPN, Tennis Channel

Yulia Putintseva (30) vs. Xinyu Wang

Mirra Andreeva (21) vs. Ashlyn Krueger

Andreeva, 17, is one of the true young phenomenons of tennis, combining an on-court IQ beyond her years with a winning sense of humour off it. She will be a tall order for Krueger, who broke a six-match losing streak at Grand Slam tournaments to reach the second round.

Alex de Minaur (10) vs. Otto Virtanen (Q)

Max Purcell vs. Tommy Paul (14)

Around the grounds

Start time: 11 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. PT
TV: ESPN, Tennis Channel

Clara Tauson vs. Diana Shnaider (18) — first on Court 7

An explosive encounter on Court 7. Shnaider is perhaps the realest deal in the WTA “next generation,” having partnered Andreeva to silver in the women’s doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Russian duo entered under the Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) banner. Tauson, meanwhile, is looking to emulate the path of compatriot Wozniacki. After breaking into the WTA top 50 in 2021 and looking set to rise further, Tauson was beset by injuries. In 2024, she’s looking to make good on the potential she showed three years ago, making her best Grand Slam run to date at the French Open, where she reached the fourth round.

Jordan Thompson vs. Hubert Hurkacz (7) — first on Stadium 17

Facundo Diaz Acosta vs. Jack Draper (25) — third on Court 5

Elena Rybakina (4) vs. Jessika Ponchet (Q) — fourth on Stadium 17

Required reading

• Novak Djokovic needs new tennis quests. Can the U.S. Open provide them?
• Naomi Osaka and the gravitational pull of a tennis superstar
• How Jannik Sinner and the team that made him world No. 1 became a tennis Rorschach test

(Top photo of Carlos Alcaraz: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)

James Hansen is a Senior Editor for The Athletic covering tennis. Prior to joining The Athletic in 2024, he spent just under five years as an editor at Vox Media in London. He attended Cambridge University, where he played college tennis (no relation to the American circuit), and is now a team captain at Ealing Tennis Club in west London. Follow James on Twitter @jameskhansen