Victories, milestones and final farewells at Flushing Meadows

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka (World No.1) began her US Open title defence with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Swiss opponent Rebeka Masarova, despite a shaky start. 

Sabalenka, who has won 51 matches this season – more than any other WTA player – is aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to successfully defend the US Open title.

The Belarusian is working with Max Mirnyi, a 10-time Grand Slam doubles champion, to improve her net skills, referring to their partnership as “Beauty and the Beast”.

British number one Emma Raducanu also recorded her first US Open win since her 2021 title triumph, defeating Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-1 6-2 in just 62 minutes – her quickest Grand Slam main-draw win. 

The 22-year-old said she felt relief at breaking a four-year streak of not winning a match at Flushing Meadows, calling New York her happy place. 

Raducanu is now working with new coach Francisco Roig.

Other players progressing include American fourth seed Jessica Pegula, who defeated Egypt's Maya Sherif 6-0, 6-4; Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini; and American tenth seed Emma Navarro, who overcame a tight first set. 

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova and Jelena Ostapenko also reached the second round.

Career farewells

The tournament saw two notable career endings. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, 35, lost 6-1, 6-0 to Diane Parry in what could be her final match. Kvitova, who returned after missing the 2024 season to have her son, said she was really nervous and emotional.

French former world number four Caroline Garcia, 31, also retired after a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 loss to Kamila Rakhimova, discussing her struggles with mental health, anxiety, panic attacks, and injuries.

American icon Venus Williams, 45, delivered a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 defeat to Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova. Williams, who has battled Sjogren's syndrome and fibroids, expressed gratitude for playing and feeling better. Fans at Flushing Meadows turned out in force, aware this could be her final appearance.

Men's singles: Alcaraz, Djokovic, and British challengers

Spanish second seed and 2022 US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated American Reilly Opelka 6-4 7-5 6-4, celebrating with a golf swing in honour of Rory McIlroy, whom he had met with earlier in the day.

Seventh seed Novak Djokovic overcame American teenager Learner Tien 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Playing his first official match in six weeks, Djokovic cited a physical struggle and received treatment for toe blisters, marking his 75th consecutive first-round Grand Slam win.

British number one Jack Draper, fifth seed, survived a severe examination to beat Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez 6-4 7-5 6-7 (7-9) 6-2, returning from an arm injury and almost a bit happy to drop a set for more playing time. 

Fellow Briton Cameron Norrie advanced after American Sebastian Korda retired injured while Norrie led 7-5 6-4.

American fourth seed Taylor Fritz and sixth seed Ben Shelton both advanced, keeping hopes alive to end the USA’s 22-year wait for a men’s Grand Slam singles champion.

Hong Kong qualifier Coleman Wong, 21, made history as the first male player from Hong Kong to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open era, defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic. Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca and 16th seed Jakub Mensik also progressed in their respective matches.