NEW YORK, Sept 3 - The U.S. Open singles draw reaches the third round on Friday, with top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz among those in action alongside home hopes Jessica Pegula and Ben Shelton.

Women's doubles competition also continues at Flushing Meadows, where Serena and Venus Williams will team up at a Grand Slam for the first time in four years.

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: JESSICA PEGULA V LEYLAH FERNANDEZ

Third seed Jessica Pegula, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, has reached the third round without dropping a set, winning both her matches comfortably and yet to face a break point.

The 32-year-old American has been serving with authority in New York, using her accuracy and consistency to dictate points and limit opportunities for her opponents.

Her next test comes against 23-year-old Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 runner-up, who has shown signs of rediscovering her best form in New York after a difficult Grand Slam season, advancing with victories over Mananchaya Sawangkaew and Zhang Shuai.

"Leylah is really tough to play against. Being a lefty is always tricky," Pegula told reporters on Wednesday.

"She's really aggressive. She changes the direction of the ball really well, hits a lot of good angles and is a good returner."

Pegula leads the head-to-head 3-1 and won their most recent meeting in Miami earlier this year, but Fernandez's aggressive returning and proven record at Flushing Meadows should ensure a stern examination for the American.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: BEN SHELTON V DENIS SHAPOVALOV

Ben Shelton will look to extend his U.S. Open campaign when the eighth-seeded American faces Canada's Denis Shapovalov in a blockbuster third-round clash.

The 23-year-old came through a four-set battle with Hubert Hurkacz to reach the third round in New York for the third successive year.

Standing in his way is former U.S. Open quart...