Sabalenka storms into US Open second round as Djokovic kicks off title chase

NEW YORK: Aryna Sabalenka opened her US Open title defence with authority on Sunday, while Novak Djokovic lit up the night session in New York as he began his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam crown.

World No. 1 Sabalenka, aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win back-to-back US Open titles, shrugged off a slow start to oust Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova 7-5, 6-1 on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Masarova, ranked 108th, gave the defending champion a scare early on before Sabalenka powered through.

“Happy to get this win and happy to be in the second round. I didn’t start my best, but then I found my rhythm,” Sabalenka said. She next faces Russia’s Polina Kudermetova.

The women’s draw produced shocks as Alexandra Eala of the Philippines pulled off a history-making 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13/11) win over Clara Tauson. Down 5-1 in the decider, the 20-year-old roared back to become the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles match. Indonesia’s Janice Tjen joined the party, stunning 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to set up a clash with Britain’s Emma Raducanu.

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Raducanu, the 2021 US Open fairy-tale champion, finally tasted victory again at Flushing Meadows, thrashing Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2. “It’s been four years, and this place will always be special for me,” she said.

Later, the spotlight turned to Djokovic. The 38-year-old Serbian maestro fended off teenager Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2, showing flashes of vintage brilliance while managing a foot blister. “Great to be back in New York,” he told the crowd. “I still have the flair, I still have the drive, and you guys give me the energy.”

American hopes Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton cruised through, while Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Czech youngster Jakub Mensik also impressed.

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With Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz yet to start their campaigns, opening day belonged to Sabalenka’s steel and Djokovic’s fire.

Djokovic flags fitness worry after opener

Novak Djokovic made a winning start to his US Open campaign on Sunday but admitted concerns over his fitness could threaten his push for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.

The 38-year-old Serbian beat American teenager Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 in just over two hours on Arthur Ashe Stadium, but a shaky second set and a medical timeout for a blister on his right foot raised alarm bells: “I started great, first set in just over 20 minutes,” Djokovic said. “But then I was surprised how bad I felt physically in the second set. I dropped my level, made too many errors and struggled to recover after long rallies. It’s slightly a concern.”

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Djokovic has not played since losing in the Wimbledon semi-finals last month, opting out of the Masters events in Toronto and Cincinnati to focus on New York. While rusty at times, he still showed flashes of brilliance, dominating the opener before edging a tense second set tiebreak and regaining control in the third.

“I wish I had Tien’s age,” Djokovic joked. “At this stage it’s about conserving energy. I still have the flair, the drive, and the crowd gives me strength.”