Aryna Sabalenka launched the defense of her US Open Crown with a victory on Sunday (24 August 2025), while Novak Djokovic made a successful start of his last bid for a record 25th Grand Slam Singles title.
World number one Sabalenka, who offers to become the first woman to claim back-to-back US Open titles, because Serena Williams completed a hat trick of victories in 2014, was made to work hard on the way to a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Rebeka Masarova in Switzerland.
Masarova, arranged at 108th in the world, pushed Sabalenka out of her comfort zone with a tough version on the most important Arthur Ashe Stadium showcourt of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
“Glad to achieve this victory and be happy to be in the second round. I feel that I did not start my best in the first games, but then I found my rhythm,” said Sabalenka, who will be dealing in the second round in the second round.
While Sabalenka was safe, the Danish 14th seed clara Tauson tumbled to Alexandra Eala.
Eala, 20, became the first player from the Philippines who won a Grand Slam Singles match with an exciting 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13/11) victory, who flies back a 5-1 deficit in the last set to move forward.
“I am super in the clouds with what I could do today, especially coming back in the third,” said Eala.
“It’s a very special victory for me.”
Another player from Southeast Asia-Janice Tjen in Indonesia is also an upset, making the Russian 24th Seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to continue.
“I am proud that I can do this for my country,” said Tjen, the first Indonesian since Angelique Widjaja in 2004 to reach the main drawing of a Grand Slam Singles event.
Tjen, ranked as 149th in the world, will be confronted in the second round Great Britain Raducanu.
Djokovic of the goal
Raducanu, who wrote history in 2021 at Flushing Meadows by becoming the first qualifying match that cancel a Grand Slam title, achieved her first US Open Match victory since that memorable triumph with a 6-1, 6-2 dribing of the Japanese and Sea Shibahara.
“I really wanted to win a competition here,” said Raducanu.
“It’s four years ago and it’s a very special tournament for me.”
Novak Djokovic from Serbia is celebrating his first round victory at the US Open Tennis Championship on August 24, 2025. | Photoredit: AP
With men’s title defender Jannik Sinner and rival Carlos Alcaraz, their first round campaigns do not open until Monday (August 25, 2025) and Tuesday (August 26, 2025), all eyes were on the experienced Serbian star Djokovic in the night session on Sunday on Ashe.
The 38-year-old showed flashes of brilliance in a 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 victory against his non-seeded 19-year-old American opponent student ten.
Djokovic ran through the first set, but was then forced to save a set point in the second after ten grew in confidence.
A long -term medical time -out to treat what looked like a blister on his right foot helped to breathe new life into Djokovic and he pulled away to complete the victory for 25 minutes in 2 hours.
“Great to be back in New York,” said Djokovic. “I wish I had the age of the student ten – if you come to the late 1930s, it is about learning how to keep the energy for what is important.
“I still have the flair, I still have the drive and you give me the energy,” he told the crowd. “Hopefully I can maintain it.”
Fourth seed Taylor Fritz and the sixth seed Ben Shelton beat the second round.
Fritz, finalist beaten last year and a semi-finalist in Wimbledon last month, won 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 against non-sown countryman Emilio Nava.
Shelton had a similar comfortable 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 defeat of the Peruvian qualifying match Ignacio Buse.
Shelton and Fritz lead us hope for a first Grand Slam Men’s Singles title since the victory of Andy Roddick over the US Open 2003.
Shelton insisted that he did not look beyond the second round, where he will encounter Pablo Carreno Busta in Spain.
“As soon as you start looking ahead, you stumble over your own feet. So only one game at the same time,” he said.
Czech 16th Seed Jakub Mensik aimed Chili’s Nicolas Jarry 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-4 and Spanish 18th Seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Alexander Shevchenko from Kazachstan 6-1, 6-1, 6-2.
The 32nd seed of Italy, Luciano Darderi, eliminated Australia’s Rinky Hijikata 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.
Published – August 25, 2025 08:49 is ON
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