FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY — Naomi Osaka (JPN) began her title defense with a three-set victory over Anna Blinkova on Day 2 at the US Open.
Admittedly battling intense nerves, Osaka found herself down 0-3 to begin the match, but rallied back to take six of the next seven games to win the first set. After dropping the second set, Osaka raised her level of play in the third and “fought as hard as [she could]” to advance.
Belinda Bencic’s (SUI) first round match proved to be more routine, as the 13-seed cruised to a straight-set victory. Bencic, who reached the quarterfinals at the Open as a 17-year-old, will be looking to reach her fourth consecutive third round at a major when she plays Alize Cornet on Thursday.
Later in the day, Hyeon Chung (KOR) made his return to the Grand Slam stage with a five-set marathon match after missing the previous two majors due to injury. A former top-20 player, Chung had to battle through the qualifying rounds to earn a spot in the main draw and will play [32] Fernando Verdasco in his second round match.
Ranked outside the top 100 and climbing through the qualifying rounds, Anna Kalinskaya (RUS) scored one of the biggest upsets of the first round, defeating 2017 champion [11] Sloane Stephens in straight sets. Kalinskaya’s late-night victory was her first career win at a Grand Slam.
Frances Tiafoe (USA), Denis Shapovalov (CAN), and Nick Kyrgios (AUS) capped off the night session with wins of their own. Tiafoe won just his second career match at his home Slam, while Shapovalov rolled over compatriot [18] Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets.
Taking the court after 11pm local time, Kyrgios, who has classified himself as a night owl, started his 7th career US Open with a straight-set victory over Steve Johnson, 6-3, 7-6, 6-4.
On opening day, Dayana Yastremska (UKR) recorded her first-career win in Flushing Meadows. The 19-year-old Ukrainian defeated Monica Niculescu in three sets to advance to the second round.
Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) continued her early-round dominance at her favorite Slam. She has reached the quarterfinals or better in her last three appearances at the US Open and advanced with a straight-set win.
To wrap up Day 1 action, Stan Wawrinka’s (SUI) quest for a fourth major began under the lights on Louis Armstrong Stadium. The Swiss star needed four sets to advance and will play Jeremy Chardy for a spot in the third round.
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Men
Denis Kudla (USA) - VCORE 98 def. Janko Tipsarevic, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-1
[23] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) – VCORE PRO 97 / ECLIPSION2 / New York Collection def. Jannik Sinner, 6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3
Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) – VCORE 98 / POLYTOUR SPIN 125 / FUSIONREV3 / New York Collection def. Marcos Giron, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
Ricardas Berankis (LTU) – VCORE PRO 97 / POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 / ECLIPSION2 / New York Collection def. Jiri Vesely, 4-6, 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4
Kamil Majchrzak (POL) VCORE 98 / POLYTOUR PRO 125 def. Nicolas Jarry, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 1-6, 6-4
[28] Nick Kyrgios (AUS) - EZONE 98 / POLYTOUR PRO 120 def. Steve Johnson, 6-3, 7-6, 6-4
Denis Shapovalov (CAN) – VCORE 95 / POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 def. [18] Felix Auger Aliassime, 6-1, 6-1, 6-4
Alexander Bublik (KAZ) – EZONE 98 / POLYTOUR PRO 125 def. Santiago Giraldo, 2-6, 6-0, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
Frances Tiafoe (USA) – VCORE PRO 97 / POLYTOUR PRO 125 def. Ivo Karlovic, 6-2, 6-3, 1-2, ret.
Hyeon Chung (KOR) - VCORE PRO 97 def. Ernesto Escobedo, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2
Women
[1] Naomi Osaka (JPN) – EZONE Limited Edition / POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 def. Anna Blinkova, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2
Timea Babos (HUN) - VCORE 100 def. [28] Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, ret.
[13] Belinda Bencic (SUI) - EZONE 100 / POLYTOUR PRO 125 def. Mandy Minella, 6-3, 6-2
[23] Donna Vekic (CRO) - VCORE 100 def. Richel Hogenkamp, 7-6, 6-3
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) – EZONE 100 def. Katerina Siniakova, 7-5, 6-2
Anna Kalinskaya (RUS) - EZONE 98 / POLYTOUR PRO 120 def. [11] Sloane Stephens, 6-3, 6-4
[32] Dayana Yastremska (UKR) – VCORE PRO 100 / POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 & POLYTOUR DRIVE 125 / FUSIONREV3 / New York Collection def. Monica Niculescu, 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
Lin Zhu (CHN) –VCORE 100 / POLYTOUR SPIN 125 def. Xin Yu Wang, 6-3, 6-4
Ana Bogdan (ROU) - EZONE 100 / POLYTOUR PRO 125 def. Harriet Dart, 6-3, 6-1
[12] Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) – EZONE 98 / POLYTOUR PRO 125 / ECLIPSION2 / New York Collection def. Eugenie Bouchard, 6-3, 6-3
Fiona Ferro (FRA) - VCORE 100 def. Daria Gavrilova, 6-3, 6-4
