Coco Gauff moved forward, while Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys, and Amanda Anisimova were among the Americans facing dramatic results.
At a glance: Coco Gauff moved forward, while Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys, and Amanda Anisimova were among the Americans facing dramatic results.
A day full of surprises
The 2026 U.S. Open in New York delivered a Saturday filled with surprises, difficult comebacks, and emotional moments. Several high-ranked players were knocked out, while Coco Gauff gave American fans a reason to celebrate by reaching the fourth round.
Gauff defeated Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4. The match was not completely easy. Gauff fell behind early and made several double faults, but she recovered and closed the match in two sets. The 22-year-old American has not lost a set in the tournament so far. Her strong run comes after a successful period in Cincinnati, and many U.S. fans are watching her as one of the country's best hopes for a deep run in New York.
The bigger shock came on the men's side. American Taylor Fritz, the No. 9 seed, won the first two sets against Francisco Cerundolo and appeared to be in control. But Cerundolo fought back and won the next three sets, taking the match 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Losing after leading by two sets is especially painful in a Grand Slam because the player had already done much of the work needed to win.
More American disappointment
Fritz was not the only American star to lose. Madison Keys suffered one of the most dramatic defeats of the day against Qinwen Zheng. Keys won the first set easily, and later she led 5-0 in the deciding third set. At that point, the match looked almost finished.
Zheng refused to give up. She came back from 5-0 down and even saved a match point. She eventually won 1-6, 7-6, 7-5. A comeback from such a large final-set deficit is rare at this level, so the result quickly became one of the most discussed matches of the tournament.
Amanda Anisimova, another American seed, was also eliminated. Anastasia Potapova defeated the No. 10 seed, adding to a day when several expected winners left the tournament earlier than planned. On the men's side, No. 5 seed Flavio Cobolli was beaten by 21-year-old Alexander Blockx, another result that changed the shape of the draw.
Gauff keeps American hopes alive
Even with several American losses, Gauff's progress keeps U.S. attention high. She has already experienced the pressure that comes with being a major American tennis star. Playing in New York adds even more attention because the crowd strongly supports local players.
Gauff's path will become harder as the tournament moves into later rounds. Every match now brings stronger opponents and greater pressure. Still, winning the first three rounds without dropping a set is a positive sign. It means she has spent less time on court than players who have needed long three-set matches, which can matter later in a two-week Grand Slam.
Iga Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva also moved into the fourth round with straight-set victories. Their progress means the women's draw still includes several top players, even after the upset-filled Saturday. The tournament is now entering the stage where every result can significantly change predictions about the final.
Why the U.S. Open is trending
The U.S. Open is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and is the biggest tennis event held in the United States. It takes place in New York, where large crowds and night matches often create a loud, energetic atmosphere. That makes dramatic matches especially popular online.
This year's Saturday results were perfect for social media because they included huge comebacks, famous American players, and unexpected winners. Short clips of match points and crowd reactions can spread around the world within minutes. Fans also debate whether a favorite lost because of pressure, tiredness, tactics, or simply because the opponent played better.
The next rounds will show whether the remaining stars can handle that pressure. Gauff will try to continue her strong run, while new names have a chance to become major stories. The exits of Fritz, Keys, and Anisimova remind everyone that rankings do not decide matches. At a Grand Slam, one difficult day can completely change the tournament.
Editorial verification sources: Official U.S. Open website, September 5, 2026.
04 WORLD
