IMAGES from Day 1 of the US Open matches played at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Sunday.
Djokovic overcomes time violation, Tien to advance
Novak Djokovic delivered a lesson in Grand Slam tenacity to Learner Tien in the first round of the US Open on Sunday as he battled past the American teenager 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 and launched his latest quest for a record 25th major title.
Competing in his first singles match since reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals last month, and swapping the whites for a sleek all-black outfit, the 38-year-old Serb fought through physical issues to secure his 80th win at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Victory also meant Djokovic became the first player since the sport turned professional in 1968 to win 75 straight opening-round matches at the Grand Slams, with 55 of those wins coming in straight sets.
"It was a strange kind of match," said Djokovic, who looked to be struggling with injury midway through the match.
"The first set was 20 minutes and then the second one was one hour and 20, quite the opposite sets we played. It was key for me to hold my nerve in the second set and clinch it in a tiebreak.
"After that I started feeling better. I can always do better but it's a great way to start this year's campaign."
The seventh seed shrugged off a time violation to consolidate an early break at the start of the contest and a heated debate with the chair umpire shortly afterwards spurred him on to wrap up the opening set in double quick time.
The 19-year-old Tien, on a near-impossible mission to hand Djokovic his first opening-round loss at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open, had his chances to draw level during a draining second set but crumbled in the tiebreak.
After treatment for a right foot blister, Djokovic produced heavy groundstrokes from the baseline to break for a 3-1 lead in the third set and the four-times New York champion never looked back from there, booking a match-up with American Zachary Svajda.
Sabalenka passes Masarova test
Defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka was given an early test before she moved into the second round while Emma Raducanu won her first match at the Grand Slam since her 2021 triumph as the tournament began a day earlier than usual on Sunday.
Under the new extended 15-day format, first-round singles action will be contested from Sunday to Tuesday, rather than two days as in previous years, spreading out the star attractions and allowing access for another 70,000-odd spectators.
Sabalenka was among the marquee names on the opening day's schedule and the Belarusian fed off the vocal Arthur Ashe crowd to overcome determined Swiss Rebeka Masarova 7-5, 6-1 and move into the next round.
Earlier, the extra crop of local ticketholders witnessed compelling wins from 2024 finalist Taylor Fritz, who beat compatriot Emilio Nava 7-5, 6-2, 6-3, and 2023 semi-finalist Ben Shelton, who beat Peru's qualifier Ignacio Buse 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
Fourth seed Fritz and the sixth seed Shelton have emerged as two of the brightest hopes to end a 22-year US men's drought at their domestic major, as their women's counterparts have long carried the torch for American tennis.
Briton Raducanu, the first qualifier to win the tournament four years ago, made the second round for the first time since hoisting the trophy as she defeated Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-1 6-2.
"I did feel different coming into it this year," said Raducanu, who lost in the first round in 2022 and 2024.
"I felt like I was doing the right things day to day, but still, it's in the back of your head. So I'm just very pleased to have overcome that."
Canada's Leylah Fernandez, who lost to Raducanu in the final four years ago, defeated compatriot Rebecca Marino 6-2, 6-1 while 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova saw off Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-3, 7-6(3).
Former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko made smooth progress with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Chinese qualifier Wang Xiyu.
There were a handful of surprises, as qualifier Janice Tjen earned Indonesia's first win in a Grand Slam main draw in 22 years when she knocked out 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines got the crowd on their feet as she battled back from 1-5 in the deciding set to defeat Denmark's 14th seed Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(11) in a nerve-searing affair at the Grandstand.
"It was so, so difficult," said Eala.
"This match is one for the books for me."
© 2025