By Ben Phillips
After the chaos and drama of round one at the 2025 US Open, where shocks like Daniil Medvedev’s defeat and Madison Keys’ early exit set the tone, round two felt much more like business as usual. Across both the men’s and women’s draws, the top seeds came through largely unscathed, laying down their markers as the tournament begins to take shape.
There were still stories that caught the eye, the disappointment of Jack Draper’s withdrawal, Iga Swiatek being forced to dig deeper than usual, and Novak Djokovic’s test at the hands of a fearless American youngster, but on the whole, round two belonged to the favourites. With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner showing imperious form on the men’s side, and a wide-open women’s field led by Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, the pieces are moving into place for what promises to be a gripping second week in New York.
Draper’s Disappointment: A Tournament Cut Short
The headlines before round two began were dominated by the news that Jack Draper, seeded fifth, had to withdraw due to a left arm injury. For Draper, this is a crushing blow. The 23-year-old Brit had been riding a wave of confidence after an outstanding season that included multiple deep runs at Masters events and a career-high ranking. Most importantly, he was defending semifinal points from last year’s US Open, a run that had announced him as a genuine force on the sport’s biggest stages.
The retirement means those points will vanish, and his ranking will inevitably take a hit. For a player who thrives on rhythm and confidence, it is a painful setback. Yet Draper has already proven his resilience through past injuries, and at his age, time is on his side. British tennis fans will hope he can recover quickly, as his game, built around a heavy lefty serve and an improving all-court balance, looks tailor-made for future Slam success.
For now, though, Draper’s US Open journey ends before it really began, a reminder of the fine margins that can define tennis careers.
Alcaraz Cruises: Ruthless and Relentless
In stark contrast, Carlos Alcaraz looked every inch the champion-in-waiting in round two, dismissing Italian Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-0, 6-3. From the very first game, Alcaraz imposed himself, combining ferocious baseline hitting with sublime touch at the net. Bellucci, a talented left-hander with plenty of variety, was overpowered and outmanoeuvred.
Alcaraz’s ability to switch gears mid-rally is what makes him so special. One moment he is battering a forehand crosscourt with frightening pace, the next he is feathering a drop shot that leaves his opponent stranded. On Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the crowd energised by his flair, the Spaniard looked untouchable.
Already a French Open champion this season, Alcaraz has the chance to add a second Slam in 2025, an achievement already accomplished by Jannik Sinner in 2025. If his level from this match holds, it will take something extraordinary to stop him.
Sinner Steps Up: World No.1 in Command
Not to be outdone, Jannik Sinner also laid down a marker. The world number one dispatched Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in a match that many had circled as a potential banana skin. Popyrin’s booming serve and forehand can trouble anyone on a fast hard court, but Sinner’s calm authority smothered any danger.
The Italian’s movement was razor-sharp, his return immaculate, and his backhand, long hailed as one of the purest in the game, carved open the court repeatedly. For Sinner, who lifted the Wimbledon trophy just last month, this was a performance that suggested he has fully recovered from the illness that forced him to retire in Cincinnati against Alcaraz.
When Sinner is in this mood, with his balance of offensive aggression and defensive resilience, he is as close to unplayable as anyone on tour. Alongside Alcaraz, he remains the standout favourite in New York.
Djokovic Tested by Svajda
If Sinner and Alcaraz looked invincible, Novak Djokovic was forced to dig into his reserves of patience and experience to survive a test from 22-year-old American Zachary Svajda. Djokovic eventually won 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1, but for much of the first half of the match, it was the underdog who was dictating play.
Svajda played fearless tennis, striking cleanly from both wings and holding his nerve in a tight first-set tiebreak. The Ashe crowd, sensing an upset, rallied behind him, creating a raucous atmosphere. Djokovic, though, has seen it all before. With characteristic adjustments, stepping inside the baseline, directing more traffic to Svajda’s weaker side, and improving his first-serve percentage, he gradually wrestled control.
By the fourth set, Djokovic was in complete command, but this match was a reminder that at 38, his path to another Slam title will not be straightforward. His third-round clash with Britain’s Cameron Norrie is one of the most intriguing matchups of the next round.
Swiatek Survives a Battle
On the women’s side, Iga Swiatek was given a far sterner examination than many anticipated. The world number one defeated Dutch player Suzan Lamens 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, but it was a scrap that forced Swiatek to dig deeper than she has in recent Slam early rounds.
After cruising through the first set, Swiatek’s level dipped, and Lamens took full advantage with aggressive shot-making and clever court positioning. The Pole looked frustrated at times, particularly with her forehand consistency, but when the chips were down in the deciding set, she raised her intensity.
Matches like this can often prove invaluable in the long run. While straight-set strolls conserve energy, battles sharpen resilience. For Swiatek, escaping this scare might be exactly the test she needed before the tougher challenges ahead.
Sabalenka Solid, Andreeva Impressive
Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka came through a tricky opener against Polina Kudermetova, winning 7-6, 6-2. The first set was tight, Kudermetova forcing Sabalenka into extended rallies and saving multiple set points. But once Sabalenka edged the tiebreak, her power game took over, and the second set was far more straightforward.
For Sabalenka, the task is clear: rediscover the Grand Slam-winning touch that has eluded her since this tournament last year. Her form in the early rounds suggests she is building nicely.
Meanwhile, teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva continued her remarkable rise, dismantling Anastasia Potapova 6-1, 6-3. Andreeva’s ability to mix aggression with composure is startling for her age. Every Slam seems to bring another step forward, and she has quickly established herself as a genuine contender here in New York.
Shelton and Raducanu Shine
American fans had plenty to cheer as Ben Shelton impressed. Shelton, fresh off his maiden master’s 1000 win in Canada, overpowered Pablo Carreño Busta 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Whilst his serves were not quite reaching top speeds, as pointed out by his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, post-match, Shelton is rapidly developing into one of the most dangerous players on hard courts.
Raducanu, meanwhile, produced one of the cleanest performances of the round, thrashing Janice Tjen 6-1, 6-1. The 2021 champion has had a turbulent few years since her famous New York triumph, but here she looked sharp, focused, and full of confidence. Her third-round clash with former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina is one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament so far.
Seeds Dominate, But Signs of Intrigue
Overall, round two was defined by the dominance of the seeds. Unlike the drama of round one, most of the top names advanced without alarm. Yet even in such rounds, narratives emerge: Swiatek being pushed, Djokovic’s moments of vulnerability, and the growing sense of inevitability around Sinner and Alcaraz.
The women’s draw, in particular, still feels more open. While Sabalenka and Swiatek are the leading favourites, players like Andreeva, Raducanu, and Rybakina have all shown form that suggests they could go deep. On the men’s side, however, the path looks clearer: Alcaraz and Sinner are the players to beat, though Djokovic lurks as the great disruptor.
Looking Ahead: Blockbuster Third-Round Matches
If round two was about consolidation, round three is about confrontation. Some of the matchups lined up are mouthwatering:
- Elena Rybakina vs Emma Raducanu – A battle between a former Wimbledon champion and a former US Open champion. Both are power hitters, both are in form, and the clash of styles could light up Armstrong.
- Jessica Pegula vs Victoria Azarenka – Experience meets consistency. Pegula, one of the tour’s most reliable performers, faces the two-time Slam winner Azarenka in what promises to be a tactical chess match.
- Cameron Norrie vs Novak Djokovic – The former British No.1 against the greatest of all time. Norrie’s grinding style has troubled Djokovic in patches before, and Djokovic has been a bit up and down thus far.
- Aryna Sabalenka vs Leylah Fernandez – A rematch with history. Fernandez, a finalist here in 2021, has the shot tolerance and crowd support to trouble Sabalenka, but the Belarusian’s power will make her the favourite.
Round three, then, promises fireworks — the kind of matches that define the second week of a Slam.
Conclusion
Round two of the 2025 US Open may not have delivered the shocks of the opening days, but it has set the stage perfectly for what is to come. The top seeds are marching on, but challenges are looming. Alcaraz and Sinner look unstoppable on the men’s side, but Djokovic remains a factor. On the women’s side, Swiatek and Sabalenka are leading the charge, but with Andreeva, Rybakina, Raducanu, and Fernandez in the mix, unpredictability reigns.
The disappointment of Jack Draper’s withdrawal was the lone sombre note in an otherwise thrilling round, but as the tournament builds, the focus shifts to the epic matchups of round three. With champions clashing and rising stars threatening upsets, the US Open is only just warming up, and the best is yet to come.
