Quick Served: Day 1 — So It Begins!
For the first time ever, the US Open kicked off on a Sunday, so what better way to start your week than with Andy Roddick’s Day 1 recap?
Andy breaks down the results, explains why he’ll never change the channel when a player “loses it”, and reacts to Novak Djokovic’s first match since Wimbledon.
Plus: A preview of Monday’s must-watch matches and tips for anyone lucky enough to be on the grounds.
Don’t miss the full Day 1 recap!
*Results from end of play on August 24.
Primetime Recap: From Meltdowns to Milestones
While you were sleeping, you missed quite the scene on Louis Armstrong Stadium Sunday night. Daniil Medvedev was facing match point when a photographer entered the court, causing a six minute delay, and a Medvedev ‘meltdown’.
Benjamin Bonzi missed a serve leading 5-4 in the third, when the photographer began walking on the court. The chair umpire allowed Bonzi another first serve due to the delay, to which Medvedev complained. The No. 13 seed later said he wasn’t upset with the photographer, rather with the decision to give Bonzi a first serve.
After things settled down, Medvedev won the next two sets to force the decider
Bonzi rallied to take the fifth 6-4, eliminating Medvedev from a second straight major
The Frenchman said after the match that he believed Medvedev’s behavior crossed a line.
A U.S. Tennis Association spokesman said the photographer was escorted from the court by security and his credential was revoked.
Novak Djokovic’s quest for a 25th major title continues. The No. 7 seed swept 19-year-old American Learner Tien on Arthur Ashe Sunday night to improve to 19-0 in the first round at the US Open. He became the first player in the Open Era to win 75 consecutive opening round matches at Grand Slams.
Despite the victory, Djokovic said he was surprised at how badly he struggled physically in the second set. He received medical treatment for a blister on his foot, but powered through to win the match in the third.
Djokovic will have two days off before his second round match against another young American Zachary Svajda, who beat Zsombor Piros on Sunday.
Andy shares his thoughts on how Djokovic looked in his first match since Wimbledon.
A less eventful primetime session on the women’s side. Good news for the top seeds, though.
No. 4 Jessica Pegula and No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini each won their matches in straights. Pegula got past Mayar Sherif 6-0, 6-4 and will next face Anna Blinkova.
Paolini beat Destanee Aiava 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) and awaits the winner of Iva Jovic and Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round.
Historic Firsts at the US Open
Alexandra Eala became the first player from the Philippines to win a Grand Slam match in the Open Era. Eala stunned No. 14 seed Clara Tauson for the historic victory, rallying back from down 1-5 in the third. She took the match 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11).
I'm so blessed to be the first to do this. I take so much pride in representing my country. It makes what I do bigger than myself.
Alexandra Eala
Janice Tjen became the first Indonesian player to win a main draw singles match at a major in 22 years. Her win over No. 24 seed Veronika Kudermetova was also the first upset of the tournament. The former college player at Oregon and Pepperdine will next face 2021 US Open Champion Emma Raducanu.
Raducanu won her first match in Flushing Meadows since that title, beating Ena Shibahara in straights.
No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka began her title defense with a win over Rebeka Masarova, despite going down a break early in the first. She won 7-5, 6-1.
Fellow seeded players Emma Navarro (No. 10), Belinda Bencic (No. 16), Jelena Ostapenko (No. 25), Leylah Fernandez (No. 31), and McCartney Kessler (No. 32) all won their first round matches in straights.
Have You Watched Our Draw Show?
Seeds Hold Firm: Fritz, Shelton Cruise into Round 2
Meanwhile, the men’s draw opened with a textbook start for seeded players on Sunday. Taylor Fritz (No. 4), Ben Shelton (No. 6), Jakub Mensik (No. 16), and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (No. 18) all won their early session matches in straights.
Jiri Lehecka (No. 20), Tomas Machac (No. 21), and Luciano Darderi (No. 32) joined that list of seeded players to score opening round wins Sunday afternoon.
French Firepower: Adrian Mannarino, who swept No. 29 seed Tallon Griekspoor, Ugo Blanchet, and Arthur Rinderknech join Bonzi in the second round.
No. 30 seed Brandon Nakashima held on to beat Jesper De Jong in the fifth set 7-6 (10-7). Fellow Americans Marcos Giron, Zachary Svajda, and Eliot Spizzirri also took home wins on Sunday.
Unseeded players who advanced: Jerome Kym, Pablo Carreno Busta, Jordan Thompson, and Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Down & Out
No. 14 Clara Tauson def. by Alexandra Eala
No. 24 Veronika Kudermetova def. by Janice Tjen
No. 13 Daniil Medvedev def. by Benjamin Bonzi
No. 29 Tallon Griekspoor def. by Adrian Mannarino
1 — Benjamin Bonzi is the first player in the Open Era to beat a Grand Slam champion in opening round men’s singles matches at consecutive majors.
2 — Taylor Fritz & Ben Shelton are the first two American men seeded in the top eight at a major since the 2007 US Open (No. 5 Andy Roddick, No. 6 James Blake).
75 — Novak Djokovic became the first player in the Open Era to win 75 consecutive opening matches at Grand Slams.
99 — Victoria Azarenka won her 99th Grand Slam singles match on hard court, trailing only four women in the Open Era for most wins on the surface during majors.
Friday’s poll question results: 52% of you believe YOUR bracket will do better than Andy and JW’s. Check your bracket here.
Primetime Preview: Monday, August 25
Seven-time major winner Venus Williams makes her first appearance at the US Open in two years. She’ll face two-time semifinalist No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova on Arthur Ashe at 7 p.m.
No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva has reached the quarterfinals in the last two majors and will face American Alycia Parks on Louis Armstrong at 9 p.m.
No. 12 seed Casper Ruud makes his Grand Slam return since missing Wimbledon due to injury. He’ll face Sebastian Ofner on Louis Armstrong at 7 p.m.
The pursuit of Carlos Alcaraz’s sixth major begins with a test against big-serving American Reilly Opelka. The match is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Arthur Ashe.
All match times are in Eastern Time.
Monday’s Full Schedule of Play.
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