Carlos Alcaraz has received a huge US Open boost with his draw opening up nicely following the surprise exits of two projected opponents.
World No 3 Alcaraz will not be on court until later on Thursday, with the Spaniard playing the final night session match on Arthur Ashe Stadium against Botic van de Zandschulp.
However, early play on the fourth day of 2024 US Open action has panned out nicely for the 2022 champion, with two potential rivals crashing out of the tournament.
Projected fourth round opponent Sebastian Korda was beaten by Tomas Machac, while projected quarter-final opponent Hubert Hurkacz fell to Jordan Thompson.
Hopes were high for 16th seed and home favourite Korda heading into the tournament, with the American capturing his second ATP title at the Washington Open towards the best of the summer.
Korda also had a strong run at the Canadian Open, reaching the last four, but was beaten in straight sets by Czech star Machac on Court Louis Armstrong.
Wrist injuries have plagued the American throughout his career and, sadly for him, he seemed to physically be struggling with the same injury once again in this contest.
Machac was a break down in both the first and third sets, but rallied impressively to seal an impressive 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 triumph and reach the third round.
Hurkacz is another player who has struggled with injury in recent weeks, having suffered a meniscus tear in his round two Wimbledon match versus Arthur Fils.
The Pole, seeded seventh in New York, withdrew from the Olympics following a minor procedure, though looked fit and healthy in an opening Flushing Meadows victory over Timofey Skatov.
However, he was outplayed in his round two match versus Thompson, with the Australian claiming a 7-6(2), 6-1, 7-5 win to book a meeting versus 30th seed Matteo Arnaldi.
Those victories have made Alcaraz’s draw easier on paper, though there are still some tough tests he could face before a projected semi-final versus world No 1 Jannik Sinner.
Assuming he beats van de Zandschulp, he could face 25th seed Jack Draper in round three – a rematch of the Queen’s match he lost in straight sets.
A potential round four against Machac could await after that, while 10th seed Alex de Minaur is now the highest-ranked player he could hypothetically face in the quarter-final.