The US Open Tennis Championships got underway on Sunday, with fans immediately treated to some brilliant tennis action and a number of dramatic moments.
On the men’s side, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic advanced while Daniil Medvedev was prematurely sent packing from yet another major in what has been a nightmare year for the 29-year-old.
In women’s action, world number one Aryna Sabalenka and British starlet Emma Raducanu were among the stars to push through their respective first-round opponents.
Djokovic survives tough test, Medvedev implodes
Despite a seemingly comfortable 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 final scoreline, Djokovic struggled throughout his clash with Learner Tien in Arthur Ashe Stadium, especially during a marathon 82-minute second set.
The seventh seed subsequently admitted to feeling concerned about his inability to recover between points.
“I started great. Just over 20 minutes, first set, I felt really good,” Djokovic told reporters.
“Then some long games to start the second set, and then I started to feel really [bad] – I don’t know why. I really was surprised how bad I was feeling in the second physically.
“We had long exchanges, but also I dropped my level and made a lot of unforced errors and got him back into the match.
“I’m glad that I kind of reset myself after second set. And the third set was OK to finish up the match.
“Good thing, two days off now. But it’s slightly a concern. I don’t have any injury or anything. I just struggled a lot to stay in long exchanges and recover after points.”
Over in the Louis Armstrong Stadium, unseeded Benjamin Bonzi sensationally upset 13th seed Medvedev 6-3 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 0-6 6-4 in a match that saw the Russian suffer a meltdown at one stage.
When a photographer accidentally entered the court on Bonzi’s third-set match point, the chair umpire decided to award the Frenchman another first-serve opportunity – a decision that Medvedev strongly disagreed with.
Despite hitting back to take the third set and then creaming the fourth, the former US Open winner eventually ran out of steam in the decider.
Speaking after the match, Medvedev shed some light on his outburst, saying: “I was not upset with the photographer … it was nothing special.
“Every time there’s a sound from the stands between serves, there is never a second serve.
“But well, that helped me get back into the match. It was a fun moment to live. I wasn’t upset with the photographer – I was upset with the decision.”
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Raducanu, Sabalenka through to second round
After dispatching qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-1 6-2 in just 62 minutes on Louis Armstrong for her fastest professional victory, Raducanu hailed the influence of new coach Francisco Roig.
“I’m really enjoying working with Francis. He’s a great person to have on and off the court,” the 22-year-old explained to Sky Sports.
“He is chatty and great fun off the court – we have a lot of laughs which definitely helps.
“He’s great at having that calm and composure about him, reassuring me that all the work we’re doing off the court doesn’t need to pay off straight away, but I know we are working towards something and building day by day.
“I can be pretty tough on myself sometimes. He just helps a lot with trying to be not such a perfectionist.”
In contrast, top seed Sabalenka was made to work hard for her 7-5 6-1 win over Rebeka Masarova on Arthur Ashe.
“I’m super happy with the win. The beginning of the first set was not great but I found my rhythm and I feel like I’m back home,” the Belarusian said during her on-court interview.
“I kept reminding myself how strong I am, and when I won the first set point and heard people cheering, I had goosebumps.
“I had great energy inside of me and in the second set, everything was working my way.”
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Fritz, Shelton advance as Tauson exits
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, fourth seed and last year’s beaten finalist Taylor Fritz beat wildcard Emilio Nava 7-5 6-2 6-3, sixth seed Ben Shelton eliminated qualifier Peru Ignacio Buse 6-3 6-2 6-4, and 16th seed Jakub Menšík overcame Nicolas Jarry 7-6 6-3 6-4.
On the women’s side, fourth seed and 2024 runner-up Jessica Pegula trounced Mayar Sherif 6-0 6-4, seventh seed Jasmine Paolini knocked out qualifier Destanee Aiava 6-2 7-6, and 10th seed Emma Navarro outlasted Yafan Wang 7-6 6-3.
There was disappointment for Clara Tauson, however, as the 14th-seeded Dane fell to Filipino upstart Alexandra Eala 6-3 2-6 7-6.
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