US Open 2021 | Day Five Preview and Order of Play

Reigning champion Naomi Osaka resumes her US Open title defence against Leylah Fernandez as the third round commences on Day Five at Flushing Meadows.

Two-time US Open winner Osaka is aiming to become the eighth female player to lift the trophy on three occasions in the Open Era after Margaret Court, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters.

The third seed’s mission was given a boost as she received a walkover through round two following the withdrawal of opponent Olga Danilovic.

Back in action on Friday, standing in her way is Canadian teenager Fernandez, who is yet to drop a set in her two matches so far.

Meanwhile, an intriguing battle of former winners sees 2016 champion Angelique Kerber collide with 2017 victor Sloane Stephens, while three-time finalist Victoria Azarenka resumes her quest to go one better against Garbine Muguruza.

World number two Aryna Sabalenka looks to secure only her second appearance in the fourth round against Danielle Collins, as French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova takes on Kamilla Rakhimova.

Elsewhere, former semi-finalists Elina Svitolina and Simona Halep face tricky tests in Daria Kasatkina and Elena Rybakina respectively.

Over in the men’s draw, 2019 runner-up Daniil Medvedev – also a semi-finalist last year – continues his mission to go the extra step against veteran Spaniard Pablo Andujar.

Meanwhile, third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is looking to reach round four for the first time against teenager Carlos Alcaraz as is British number one Dan Evans, who takes on Alexei Popyrin.

Two-time quarter-finalists Andrey Rublev and Diego Schwartzman play Frances Tiafoe and Alex Molcan respectively, as 12th and 18th seeds Felix Auger-Aliassime and Roberto Bautista Agut face off.

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US Open 2021 Day Five Schedule

Friday September 3

Third Round

ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM (5pm BST onwards)
V. Azarenka (18) v G. Muguruza (9)
C. Alcaraz v S. Tsitsipas (3)
L. Fernandez v N. Osaka (3)
A. Rublev (5) v F. Tiafoe

LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM (4pm BST onwards)
E. Rybakina (19) v S. Halep (12)
P. Andujar v D. Medvedev (2)
A. Kerber (16) v S. Stephens
R. Agut (18) v F. Auger-Aliassime (12)
D. Collins (26) v A. Sabalenka (2)

GRANDSTAND (4pm BST onwards)
H. Laaksonen v P. Gojowczyk
B. Krejcikova (8) v K. Rakhimova
E. Svitolina (5) v D. Kasatkina (25)
A. Molcan v D. Schwartzman (11)

COURT 17 (4pm BST onwards)
A. Popyrin v D. Evans (24)
B. Van De Zandschlup v F. Bagnis
E. Mertens (15) v O. Jabuer (20)