U.S. Open tennis: Defending champions Djokovic, Gauff off to blazing starts

Coco Gauff from America is playing against Varvara Gracheva from France at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York on August 26, 2024. | Photo Credit: AP

Current title holders Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff had easy victories in the opening round of the U.S. Open on Monday, August 26, 2024. Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem said goodbye to the tournament where he experienced his biggest success.

Djokovic, aiming to make history by winning his 25th Grand Slam title, finished off the night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 6-2 6-2 6-4 win against Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.

The Serbian player, ranked second in the world, had not played in a competition since taking home the Olympic gold medal in Paris. He easily defeated Albot in his attempt to become the first man to win back-to-back titles in New York since Roger Federer did so in 2008.

He achieved a new accomplishment by winning his 78th match at the main showcourt, the most victories by a male player.

"To be completely honest, I was unaware of it," Djokovic said.

"It is the largest stadium and certainly the most boisterous in the history of our sport. The evening sessions on Arthur Ashe are unparalleled in the world."

Since the roof was introduced, the atmosphere has become more lively. It's almost midnight now. I enjoy night sessions, maybe not this late, but it was a lot of fun.

Gauff easily defeated France's Varvara Gracheva with a score of 6-2 6-0 on Ashe, bouncing back from lackluster showings in Toronto and Cincinnati to start off strong at the last major of the year.

In the recent weeks, I faced some challenges and thought to myself, 'I need to accomplish this and that,' but ultimately, I realized that I don't need to show anything to anyone except for my own personal satisfaction," Gauff expressed.

During the upcoming week or two, I will be focused on living up to my own high standards and expectations.

Thiem announced his retirement at the end of the season due to a wrist injury that has affected his career. Unfortunately, the 2020 champion was defeated 6-4 6-2 6-2 by American player Ben Shelton, marking the end of his journey in tennis.

Diego Schwartzman said farewell to Flushing Meadows after the Argentine's last match at the tournament ended in a defeat against Gael Monfils. Schwartzman lost 6-7(2) 6-2 6-2 6-1 to the French player.

The fourth highest-ranked player, Alexander Zverev, who was defeated in the final by Thiem four years back, started his current attempt to win his first major championship. He won against fellow German Maximilian Marterer with a score of 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3 6-2.

Taylor Fritz easily defeated Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli with a score of 7-5, 6-1, 6-2. He has set his sights on becoming the first American male player to win a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick's victory at the 2003 U.S. Open.

Cincinnati finalist Frances Tiafoe advanced to the second round after defeating American player Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4 6-3 4-6 7-5.

In the early rounds, Denmark's Holger Rune lost to American Brandon Nakashima, and Norway's Casper Ruud defeated Bu Yunchaokete. Holger Rune was seeded 15th and lost in straight sets, while Casper Ruud won in three sets.

In the match under the bright lights, Aryna Sabalenka, who was seeded second and considered a top contender before the tournament, emerged victorious over Australian player Priscilla Hon with a score of 6-3, 6-3. Sabalenka, who is also the reigning Australian Open champion, showcased her skills on the court.

The second-place finisher from last year arrived in New York after winning in Cincinnati and hopes to be the first woman to win two major hardcourt tournaments in the same year since Angelique Kerber in 2016.

The Olympic winner from China, Zheng Qinwen, started the matches on Louis Armstrong Stadium with a 4-6 6-4 6-2 win against Amanda Anisimova. In another match, her fellow Chinese player Wang Yafan progressed when ninth seed Maria Sakkari had to retire due to injury while trailing 6-2.

French player Clara Burel bounced back after losing the first set to defeat former champion Sloane Stephens with a score of 0-6, 7-5, 7-5.

Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova and three-time U.S. Open finalist Victoria Azarenka moved on in the women's tournament along with seeded players Madison Keys, Paula Badosa, and Elina Svitolina.