Pegula fights through, Sabalenka cruises as US Open awaits Williams sisters' return

NEW YORK, Sept 4 : American third seed Jessica Pegula fought back from a set down and Aryna Sabalenka cruised into the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Friday, while the Williams sisters were due to take the court again in doubles action.A day after Madison Keys saved five match points to stay alive, her compatriot Pegula recovered from a rocking opening set to down 2021 finalist Leylah Fernandez 1-6 6-4 6-3.Pegula, the 2024 runner-up, has a shot at achieving her childhood dream of reaching the world number one ranking in Flushing and is one of three players who could dethrone Sabalenka. She will play Romanian Sorana Cirstea next.Cirstea knocked out Italian 19th seed Jasmine Paolini in earlier action on the outer courts. Sabalenka launched 10 aces to blaze past Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimo