Defending singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka have advanced to the last 16 of the US Open, while tennis icons Serena and Venus Williams suffered a defeat in their return to Grand Slam doubles.

Alcaraz, the reigning champion, secured his spot in the fourth round by defeating China's Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 on Friday. World number one Sabalenka was equally dominant, defeating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4.

Alcaraz, who is coming back from a four-month injury layoff, expressed satisfaction with his performance. He noted the difficulty of facing Wu, whose powerful groundstrokes skidded on the court, but maintained an aggressive and smart approach during crucial moments. "I think my level is really good," Alcaraz stated, "I’ve got into the rhythm of the competition."

Sabalenka, who did not face a break point against Rakhimova, showcased an impressive offensive game with 29 winners and 10 aces. The match was not without its distractions, as Sabalenka commented on the pervasive smell of marijuana at the tournament. "It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best," she said, having raised the issue with the umpire.

In the evening session, all eyes were on the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, who were partnering in a Grand Slam doubles event for the first time since 2022. The legendary duo, who have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, faced a tough challenge against the 14th seeds, Chan Hao-ching of Taiwan and Maya Joint of Australia.

The sisters ultimately lost a marathon three-hour match with a score of 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (10/7). Despite recovering from losing the first set to level the match, they were narrowly defeated in the final-set tie-break after holding a significant lead.

Alcaraz is set to face American Tommy Paul in his next match, while Sabalenka will play against Taylor Townsend. The Williams sisters' defeat marks a significant moment as they continue their careers, with Serena having recently returned from a hiatus.

The US Open continues with other prominent players vying for progression in both the men's and women's singles and doubles categories.