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Rediff.com presents the early surprises at the year's final Grand Slam
Makarova shocks Wozniacki to end marathon day in New York
Ekaterina Makarova closed out a marathon day at the US Open with a surprise triumph over fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki as the Russian registered a first win in eight meetings against the former world number one and a place in the third round.
After rain washed out most of Tuesday's play, there was a bumper schedule at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center as officials raced to get back on track and the 40th-ranked Makarova brought the curtain down with 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-1 win.
Twice a runner-up at Flushing Meadows, Wozniacki arrived in New York ready to claim an elusive first Grand Slam crown and add some sheen to a frustrating season that has seen the 27-year-old reach six finals but fail to win a single one of them.
However, the Dane, who has won more matches than any player on the WTA Tour this season, was quickly in trouble and dropped a one-sided opening set.
Makarova moved ahead in the second, breaking her opponent at the first opportunity, but the Russian was unable to close out the contest as a resilient Wozniacki forced a tie-break, which she won 7-5 to set up a decider.
The reprieve was short-lived, however, as Makarova swept through the first five games of the third set to set up a victory that denied Wozniacki a chance of reclaiming the world number one ranking had she gone on to claim the title.
Shapovalov upsets Tsonga at US Open
Canadian Denis Shapovalov appeared older than his 18 years at the US Open on Wednesday, staying poised to beat eighth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(3) and advancing to the third round.
Shapovalov, who had to qualify for the main draw, rose his hands in triumph after the television review showed that Tsonga's final shot had sailed past the baseline.
"It's a dream come true for me," he said during an on court interview.
"I've always dreamed of playing a night match on Arthur Ashe."
Shapovalov had got off to a good start breaking the 32-year-old Tsonga to love in the opening game and the only sign of nerves came in the third set when he was broken while serving for the match before he rebounded in the tie-break.
"Serving for the third set I got a little bit tight, stopped moving my feet on a couple shots, sailed some forehands," he said.
"I just stayed calm and just waited for my next chance and took it."
Shapovalov surprised the tennis world earlier this month with a run to the semi-finals in Montreal, which included a win over current world number one Rafa Nadal.
The lefthander faces Britain's Kyle Edmund, who defeated American Steve Johnson, in the next round.