Teenager Coco Gauff became the first big name to come out of the US Open tournament on Monday.
Gauff lost his first round match 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to Anastasija Sevastova.
On Monday, seeded Karolina Pliskova advanced in sets in a row.
Pliskova beat Anhelina Kalinina 4-1 in the first set, lost three games in a row, then won the last eight 6-4, 6-0. Pliskova had a 26-7 lead over the winners.
It is ranked third in the world, but has the first seed in New York.
With limited staff and spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic, cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium was eerily quiet for Pliskova’s match.
“I thought, ‘Should I cheer myself?'” Pliskova said.
In other opening action on Monday, three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber knocked out Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-4.
Kerber won the 2016 US Open but lost in the first round last year. She was ranked # 1 and is seeded 17th in New York.
There were only about 15 people in the Louis Armstrong Stadium seats for the Kerber game to start.
“It’s kind of the feeling when you play, like, practice matches,” Kerber said.
Kristina Mladenovic, who is among seven players reported under advanced coronavirus protocols, beat Hailey Baptiste 7-5, 6-2. Mladenovic has had contact with Benoit Paire, who a source identified on Sunday to the Associated Press as the player who tested positive for coronavirus and was removed from the tournament.
“Basically I’m in a new ‘bubble within bubble’ so I can’t do much, which makes it hard for me to compete and be mentally fresh and ready,” said Mladenovic, 30th seed.
The runner-up at Roland Garros 2019, Marketa Vondrousova, also advanced, beating Greet Minnen 6-1, 6-4.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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