New York (AFP)

Serena Williams and Daniil Medvedev will be at the rendezvous of the round of 16 of the US Open, but if the Russian gave a new wind to her opponent, the American had to let the storm pass before taking the top.

The last two French competitors in Flushing Meadows have yet to play: Alizé Cornet will face Madison Keys on the Arthur-Ashe court at the opening of the night session (1:00 am Sunday), while Corentin Moutet will face off against Canadian prodigy Félix Auger-Aliassime.

The quest for the 24th major record title therefore continues for Serena Williams, but the 8th in the world almost crashed on Sloane Stephens (39th).

"It was very intense. I have to be physically at the top to play against Sloane", commented the ex-world No. 1 who seemed to experience physical difficulties in the first part of the match, before regaining his legs , breath, and confidence.

"She did not make a mistake in the first set, but I absolutely did not want to lose. The games accumulated and I won the second set ... and it revived me," he said. -she explains.

At the end of the day, it's a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 win.

In the next round, Serena will face the Greek Maria Sakkari (22nd) who beat her last week in the 8th of the Cincinnati tournament relocated in the bubble of Flushing Meadows.

- Silently -

In the men's table, still quietly but with devilish efficiency, Daniil Medvedev continues to advance.

Earrings, too long brush hairstyle on the top ... and at the level of the neck, headband to hold the whole and to be able to strike like an ox on everything that moves, JJ Wolf has false airs of André Agassi period 1990.

Except at 21, and for his first appearance in a Grand Slam tournament, the American (138th) commits many more faults than his elder brother did.

No less than 41 in three sets ... too much to be able to hope to defeat a strategist like Medvedev who won 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 in 1h48.

"I'm happy to have won again in three sets, especially after six months off. It's not easy, but I feel good," commented the Russian.

In three games, he spent less than six hours on the court and perfectly held his rank of 5th in the world by showing himself absolutely relentless against opponents deemed to be weaker.

Losing an anthology final last year against Rafael Nadal, the 24-year-old Russian will face Marton Fucsovics (66th) or Frances Tiafoe (82nd) ​​on Monday for a place in the quarterfinals.

His compatriot Andrey Rublev (14th) was also expeditious against the Italian Salvatore Caruso (100th) whom he dismissed 6-0, 6-4, 6-0 in 1h24.

He will find his opponent much more to his size from the next round as he will rub shoulders with the Italian Matteo Berrettini (8th).

And last year's semi-finalist is in good shape: he quietly knocked out the Norwegian Casper Ruud (37th) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in 2:03.

© 2020 AFP