Bucsa definitively leaves Alcaraz alone in the US Open

The representation of Spanish tennis in the absolute individual tables was exclusively in the hands of the male champion, Carlos Alcaraz. The last one who confirmed his presence at the US Open after four and a half months without competing. This Monday, not before 8:00 p.m., he will play the round of 16 against the American Tommy Paul.

The North American Coco Gauff, 22 years old and number 4, she stood in the way of the Spanish Paula Badosa and Cristina Bucsawhom he eliminated successively in separate games played at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Both of the same court, with the local player deciding in two sets despite the strong Hispanic opposition.

In the third round it was Search28 years old and number 40. He was always in the fight, but not enough to worry Gauff who is in top form. Recent Cincinnati champion, she added her ninth consecutive victory, defeating the Cantabrian 6-3 and 6-4 in one hour and 28 minutes.

The outcome was strange. Bucsa recovered the ‘break’ against with a blank game, but from that 4-4 they did not win a point again, they lost the last eight.

Gauff, ready to repeat the 2023 trophy in Flushing Meadows, advances to the round of 16, against another young player, either her compatriot Iva Jovic or the Filipino Alex Eala.

The American Coco Gauff, executioner of Spanish women’s tennis at the US Open 2026Heather Khalifa/Ap-LaPresse

Bucsa still has the double trump card, along with the American Nicole Melichar. The one from Torrelavega is an expert in the field and is recovering her form after the wrist injury suffered at Roland Garros. She was one eliminator away from equaling her best Grand Slam result, the round of 16 at the 2025 US Open, where she lost to the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka. Lose with the very large ones.

The Spaniard had lost 10 of her 13 singles prior to New York, where she has recovered her level. To the captain’s satisfaction Carla Suarezwho was able to select her for the Shenzhen 8-Way Finals.

Coco Gauff, right, of the United States, embraces Paula Badosa, of Spain, after Gauff won their match in the second round of the US Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) — Coco Gauff had already beaten Paula Badosa in the second roundFrank Franklin II / Ap-LaPresse

Seven men and five women started the US Open 2025. Of the twelve, the leader of the group, Carlos Alcaraz, remains. Bucsa continues in doubles, Sara Sorribes makes a duet with the Czech Marie Bouzkova. The current champions are candidates Marcel Granollers and the Argentine Horacio Zeballos.

The individual junior teams were known, with a Spanish quartet made up of Charo Esquiva and Paola Piñero, Valentín González-Galiño and Tito Chávez. All with experience in Grand Slam already.