Zverev fixed his twelfth match win in a row in just 1:39 hours. “The match was okay, a first round against a player who is extremely dangerous on hard court. That’s why I’m satisfied with the three-set win, ”said the fourth in the world rankings. Against Querrey, Zverev also decided the third direct duel without losing a set for himself.
Even though he wasn’t satisfied with the balls. “You have the feeling that the balls are in a refrigerator. These are real stones that don’t jump, ”the fourth in the world ranked put on record. The next hurdle is the Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Zverev is aiming for his first major triumph in New York one year after the lost final against ÖTV star Dominic Thiem.
The Olympic champion also started victoriously with the women. The number eleven seeded Swiss Belinda Bencic, who made it to the semifinals in New York in 2019, kept the upper hand against the Dutch Arantxa Rus 6: 4 6: 4 and now faces the Italian Martina Trevisan.
Barty too without losing a set
World number one Ashleigh Barty also got into the action without losing a set. The top seeded Australian won against the Russian Wera Swonarewa 6: 1 7: 6 (9/7). In the second round, Wimbledon winner Barty, who won the WTA tournament in Cincinnati just over a week ago and is the favorite for the title at the last Grand Slam of the year, now meets Clara Tauson. The Dane beat Clara Burel from France 7-5 6-0.
There were no surprises on the first day of the tournament either. For both women and men, the favorites prevailed on Monday (local time). With Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medwedew, Naomi Osaka and Arina Sabalenka, those seeded as numbers two and three made it into the second round. “Enfant terrible” Nick Kyrgios provided “entertainment” again.
Tsitsipas wrestles old star Murray
Old star Andy Murray forced fellow favorites Tsitsipas into the fifth set. After almost five hours, the Greek defeated the 34-year-old Scot with 2: 6 7: 6 (9/7) 3: 6 6: 3 6: 4. Tsitsipas has never made it past the third round in New York, but is number three behind Novak Djokovic and Medvedev. He will now meet Adrian Mannarino from France.
Dispute between Murray and Tsitsipas
On the first day of the US Open, injured Andy Murray brought number three seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas to the brink of defeat. The game was overshadowed by verbal arguments because of a long toilet break by the Greek.
Medvedev clearly defeated French Richard Gasquet 6: 4 6: 3 6: 1. The 25-year-old celebrated the 200th victory of his career. In the second round he meets the German Dominik Koepfer.
Kyrgios and the right place for the towel
For the Australian Nick Kyrgios, however, the first round was the end of the line. He lost to Roberto Bautista Agut from Spain 3: 6 4: 6 1: 6, where he had almost more duels with referee Carlos Bernardes than with his opponent due to towel discussions.
After each rally, Kyrgios took his time to dry himself off with the towel, and then did not put the towel in the designated place. Bautista Agut was angry about Kyrgios’ behavior and complained to the referee. The Australian subsequently expressed his displeasure in a familiar blunt manner. “My job is to entertain people, not to walk across the square for a towel. I should be able to put the towel wherever I want. It’s all so stupid. “
Rublew served Karlovic off
Andrej Rublew, on the other hand, was able to look forward to a sovereign start. The Russian world number seven did not give a set at 6: 3 7: 6 (7/3) 6: 3 against the now 42-year-old Croatian qualifier Ivo Karlovic. With the French Ugo Humbert, a lawyer had to say goodbye early. The number 23 of the tournament drew the short straw against the German Peter Gojowczyk.
Top female players prevail
In the women’s category, defending champion Naomi Osaka beat Marie Bouzkova from the Czech Republic 6: 4 6: 1. At the beginning, the 23-year-old Japanese had to fend off several breakballs, but became increasingly secure.
For the number three seeded Osaka, it is the sixth US Open that she was able to win in 2018. Number two seeded Arina Sabalenka also started with a win. The Belarusian won against the Serbian Nina Stojanovic 6: 4 6: 7 (4/7) 6: 0.
The winner of 2017, Sloane Stephens, mastered the first round with difficulty. The American beat her compatriot and best friend Madison Keys in a crime thriller at Arthur Ashe Stadium 6: 3 1: 6 7: 6 (9/7).
