Fritz, Townsend face difficult tests at US Open, Djokovic battles injuries

The U.S. Open enters its fourth round on Sunday, with American hopes Taylor Fritz and Taylor Townsend facing tough tests as Novak Djokovic battles through injuries to continue his quest for a record 25th slam.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: TOMAS MACHAC V TAYLOR FRITZ

Last year's finalist Taylor Fritz remains the home nation's best hope of becoming the first American man since 2003 to win the U.S. Open title following the exits of sixth seed Ben Shelton and 17th seed Frances Tiafoe in the third round.

"Yeah, it sucks. I feel bad for those guys, especially I feel bad for Ben... it's a rough day for the guys," Fritz said referring to Shelton's retirement through injury.

Fritz's own road to the fourth round has been rocky, as he dropped a set in his last two matches against Lloyd Harris and Jerome Kym, with the latter taking him to tiebreaker twice.

Tomas Machac, who plays Fritz on Sunday, has lost both of his previous meetings against the American, including a five-set tussle at the French Open in 2020.

The Czech 21st seed, who won his first ATP title in March, is yet to drop a set in New York.

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: BARBORA KREJCIKOVA V TAYLOR TOWNSEND

Unseeded American Taylor Townsend is enjoying one of the best Grand Slam campaigns of her career after beating fifth seed Mirra Andreeva to reach the singles fourth round of a Grand Slam for only the second time in her career.

Townsend's campaign showed promise when she knocked out 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko in the second round. The 29-year-old's assured performance has made her one of the players to watch in the tournament.

"As a tennis player, people have always said, oh, you're so talented... but, there was always a "but," Townsend told reporters. "I feel like the work I've been put