There’s already been a few upsets in the first round of this year’s US Open with top seeds Holger Rune, Karen Khachanov and Felix Auger-Aliassime crashing out at the first hurdle in the men’s draw. It’s been a similar story in the women’s draw with Caroline Garcia, Maria Sakkari and Barbora Krejcikova unable to get through to the second round.
There was no such problems for Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic, both of whom cruised past their first-round matches. But the biggest story for the Brits has been that all seven players in both draws made it through to the next round without any of them dropping a single set.
Andy Murray, Cam Norrie, Jack Draper and Dan Evans all made light work of potentially tricky ties. Jodie Burrage, Katie Boulter and Lily Miyazaki also progressed with a few blockbuster matches set up in the next round.
Qualifier Miyazaki faces off against Olympic champion Belinda Bencic while Draper will take on Hubert Hurkacz. Murray will be up against old foe Grigor Dimitrov, but Burrage has the pick of the lot as she takes on No 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka.
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48 mins ago23: 53 Yasmin Syed
Djokovic picks side in mid-match coaching debateNovak Djokovic has revealed that he is all for the introduction of mid-match coaching, a year after the tennis tours allowed teams to give advice to their player from the stands.
And the world No 2 would be happy to see even more coaching methods introduced during play. “I would want to see, honestly, you know, a possibility of – I’m actually supportive of the on-court coaching or headset communication, whatever ways of getting more coaching. I think it’s good. I think it’s good for the audience. It’s good for players,” the Serb said.
Djokovic also explained that the current arrangement meant that he sometimes had to shout at his team so they could hear him, and vice-versa.
Read the full story HERE.
1 hour ago23: 20 Yasmin Syed
Sakkari sends message after breaking down in tearsMaria Sakkari has shared an update days after bursting into tears during her US Open press conference and toying with the idea of taking a break from tennis.
The world No 8 suffered an upset at the hands of Rebeka Masarova in the first round.
But she is now feeling better after an influx of support following her emotional press conference.
“I really have no words to describe the love and support I’ve received the last 48h,” she wrote on Instagram
“Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to realise simple things in life. I just want to say thank you to each one of you for inspiring me to keep going and get back to enjoying myself. Don’t forget to love yourself.”
2 hours ago23: 04 Yasmin Syed
Stricker ‘speechless’ after stunning TsitsipasDominic Stricker has spoken out after upsetting world No 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas at the US Open.
The world No 128 came through qualifying to make his main draw debut in Flushing Meadows and earned the biggest win of his career over Tsitsipas, defeating him 7-5 6-7(2) 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 6-3.
“Yeah, great performance. I felt good from the first point on. Was just great to be out there with so many people supporting me, supporting him,” he said after.
“So it was just, for me, a great day. I enjoyed it from the first moment on. Yeah, I was down break in the fourth, came back. So just, yeah, actually a bit speechless what happened today. Yeah, it’s just great to be in the third round.”
2 hours ago22: 43 Yasmin Syed
Thiem forced to retire in worrying scenesDominic Thiem had to forfeit his match after appearing to fall ill while facing Ben Shelton. The 2020 champion at the US Open took a break after losing the first set in a tiebreak and complained to his team when he returned.
He could barely get to the ball in the first game of the second set and approached the net to request the doctor, doubling over.
Thiem then retreated to his bench where he started gagging. The doctor and the physio both came to check on the former world No 3 but after a lengthy discussion, Thiem got up and shook hands with Shelton as he retired from the match.
Read the full story HERE.
Dominic Thiem retired after gagging and doubling over in worrying scenes (Image: Sky Sports)
3 hours ago21: 29 Yasmin Syed
Tsitsipas reacts to early exitStefanos Tsitsipas gave credit to Dominic Stricker after losing to the world No 128 in the second round of the US Open.
“My opponent showed better tennis than I did. I want to congratulate him,” the seventh seed said. But Tsitsipas didn’t want to find himself in a similar position in the future.
He continued: “Because, you know, I consider myself a good player, and I don’t want to be a person that can be beaten easily or I’m giving my opponents easy time on the court against me. I try to make it as hard as I can, and if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. I move on with my life. Hopefully I can get better in the future.”
3 hours ago21: 15 Yasmin Syed
Djokovic still not satisfied after easy victoryNovak Djokovic produced another devastating performance at the US Open, defeating Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-4 6-1 6-1 in the second round.
It came after he dropped five games to Alexandre Muller in his opening match. But the 23-time Major champion still thought he could play much better as he wasn’t completely happy with his level.
“I still feel I can play better but the first couple of matches, straight set wins. I’m happy to be back in New York, I’m happy to be playing here in Arthur Ashe in front of you guys. That’s what gives me strength, that’s what gives me motivation at 36 years of age and after 20 years of coming to New York,” he said.
Read the full match report HERE.
Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round (Image: Getty)
4 hours ago20: 45 Yasmin Syed
Tsitsipas crashes out in latest upsetWorld No 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas became the latest player to suffer an upset at the US Open.
The two-time Grand Slam finalist was stunned by Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker in the second round. The world No 128 needed four hours and four minutes to earn the biggest win of his career 7-5 6-7(2) 6-7(5) 7-6(6) 6-3.
Read the full story HERE.
5 hours ago20: 10 Yasmin Syed
Garcia issues emotional statement on grandmother’s deathCaroline Garcia has released an emotional statement announcing the death of her grandmother.
The world No 7 was upset by qualifier Wang Yafan 6-4 6-1 in her first-round match on Tuesday and did not attend her post-match press conference. She has also withdrawn from the women’s doubles alongside Kristina Mladenovic.
Garcia has now announced that her grandmother passed away on Monday.
“I couldn’t attend the press conference after my loss, the emotions were too overwhelming. My heart needs to be with my relatives to bid my grandmother a last farewell, this is why I have to withdraw from the doubles with Kristina,” she said.
Read the full story HERE.
5 hours ago19: 22 Yasmin Syed
Miyazaki reacts to Bencic lossLily Miyazaki became the first Brit to lose in the main draw of the US Open this year. The British No 7 qualified and got her first match win at a Grand Slam in the first round but Belinda Bencic proved too tough an opponent, winning 6-3 6-3.
After the match, Miyazaki said: “I think, yeah, it was a tough match today. I’m still super proud of these couple of weeks.
“Yeah, I think today was definitely a step up in level from the previous matches that I played, but I think I was still able to get quite close with her at some moments.”
Reflecting on her run in Flushing Meadows, she added: “I think I’ve learnt that if I put my level out there, then I have the game to, I don’t know, like, really disrupt other players’ games.
“Because even today I felt like once I got into the points I was able to play my game and kind of control the points pretty well. So I think I can take a lot of confidence from that.”
6 hours ago18: 35 Yasmin Syed
Gauff offers advice to Andreeva after winning battle of teensCoco Gauff needed just 75 minutes to defeat Mirra Andreeva in a battle of the teenagers at the US Open.
The American needed three sets to oust the 16-year-old at the French Open earlier this year and she made quick work of Andreeva this time around, winning 6-3 6-2.
After the match, Gauff opened up on what she had learned between the ages of 16 and 19 – some valuable advice for Andreeva. “Mirra, I think she has a great future ahead of her,” she said.
“I’ve been in her position before so hopefully you guys continue to support her and I think she’s going to be back on this stage many more times in the future.
“I think when I was younger I used to think every match was life or death when you realise that some of your competitors on tour are in their 30s I think it puts in perspective that you still have to allow yourself time to make mistakes and the losses, as long as you learn from them, they’re okay.”
Read the full story HERE.
7 hours ago17: 55 Yasmin Syed
The first Brit crashes outAfter all seven Brits in the main draw won their first-round matches without dropping a set, Lily Miyazaki has become the first to lose.
The qualifier recorded her maiden Grand Slam match win on Monday but had a tough draw in the second round, facing Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.
The 15th seed dispatched the British No 7 6-3 6-3 in 90 minutes.
Read the full story HERE.
Lily Miyazaki crashed out to Belinda Bencic (Image: Getty)
8 hours ago16: 57 Yasmin Syed
Andreeva still ‘not ready’ for Murray meetingMirra Andreeva has revealed that she rejected the chance to speak with her idol Andy Murray ahead of the US Open.
Back in April, the 16-year-old told Tennis Channel that she thought the Brit was “beautiful”. And at Wimbledon this year, Andreeva said she was still too shy to speak to Murray – running away from him when she saw him.
And it seems that she still hasn’t worked up the courage a few months later. “My agency were asking me if I would maybe like to speak to him, to have a small chat for about five minutes, but I said no. I’m not ready, I will forget how to speak. I will speak to him maybe in one year, if he is still playing,” she said.
Read the full story HERE.
9 hours ago16: 10 Yasmin Syed
Andreeva out for revenge against GauffTeenage sensations Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva will face off for the second time, one again at a Grand Slam.
The world No 6 defeated the 16-year-old Russian in the third round of the French Open earlier this year, and Andreeva is now out for revenge as they meet in the second round of the US Open on Wednesday.
The world No 63 said: “I’m pretty excited about this match. I will be super excited to play on Arthur Ashe and I will try to do my best and get my revenge for Roland Garros. I hope it’s going to be a good match. I’m pretty excited things are happening for me now so I hope nothing will change in the future.”
9 hours ago15: 14 Stuart Ballard
Judy Murray’s dig at Scottish GovernmentAndy Murray’s mum, Judy Murray, has taken aim at Scotland’s Government after her son reached 200 wins in Grand Slam tournaments.
Murray became just the ninth male player to reach the incredible milestone with the tennis star’s mum taking a thinly veiled swipe at the lack of facilities in Scotland for up-and-coming tennis stars.
She wrote on X: “Quite an achievement given we have no red clay courts like @rolandgarros, no grass courts like @wimbledon and no outdoor hard courts like @usopen or @AustralianOpen in Scotland.”
10 hours ago14: 21 Stuart Ballard
Murray feeling on top of his gameAndy Murray feels as though he’s playing the best he has done in six years before his injury woes began.
The former world No 1 eased through the opening round of the US Open to set up a clash against old foe Grigor Dimitrov.
He’ll be hoping to make it past the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2017 and Murray feels this is likely his best chance at doing so.
Murray said: “I’d like to be ranked higher but this is the best I’ve played consistently since 2017.
“I’m happy to still be going, still progressing and I hope that I can keep pushing my ranking up.”
Andy Murray is hopeful of a deep run at the US Open (Image: GETTY)
11 hours ago13: 44 Stuart Ballard
Henman not writing off Alcaraz-Djokovic rivalsTim Henman feels the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev can upset the odds and stop Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz meeting in another Grand Slam final.
Alcaraz and Djokovic played out an epic contest in the Wimbledon final earlier this summer and the pair met again in the title contest in Cincinnati.
Many expect the top two seeds to meet again at the US Open, but Henman believes conditions at Flushing Meadows make it possible of an upset.
He told Sky Sports: “It could happen, they’re playing that well. But I think just because of the nature of conditions on hard courts there are a lot more players who will be throwing their hat in the ring.
“Medvedev’s won there before, Tsitsipas plays well, [Andrey] Rublev [too], on hard courts. [Jannik] Sinner I think for me is one that’s going to win majors in future. So the list is long. But if we could sign up for another Alcaraz-Djokovic final, I’d certainly put my name down for that.
12 hours ago12: 25 Stuart Ballard
VAR farceAndy Murray has called the use of VAR at the 2023 US Open a “farce” after it was used in his opening-round win over Corentin Moutet.
A video review system has been introduced for this year’s US Open Championshipsy, allowing players to challenge calls such as double bounces or contact with the net for example.
But there were a number of hiccups during Murray’s match and the Brit was far from impressed.
“It took about four minutes to make a decision,” Murray said.
“I’m pro using technology to get to the right calls – but you’ve got to have it working. When it goes like that, it turns into a bit of a farce.”
13 hours ago11: 31 Stuart Ballard
Alcaraz wants No 1 spot backCarlos Alcaraz has made it his main goal for the remainder of the year to take back the world No 1 spot from Novak Djokovic before the end of the season.
“Well, right now it’s a goal for me honestly. I said before that we are having a really good battle for the No. 1, Novak and I,” he said.
“I knew that he was going to recover the No. 1 after US Open. When the tournament is over, I will try to recover as soon as possible. That’s my goal. I am working for that.
“The season has a lot of tournaments until the year is over. I’ll try to recover it before the tournament end, before the year end.”
14 hours ago10: 43 Stuart Ballard
Brits in action todayIt’s a bit of a lopsided men’s and women’s singles draw for the Brits with Lily Miyazaki flying the flag solo today.
The US Open qualifier, who won her first match at a Grand Slam in the opening round, faces a difficult test against Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.
She’s scheduled first on Court 5, meaning play will start around 4pm BST.
The doubles draws also get underway today with No 12 seeds Jamie Murray and Michael Venus playing as well as British duo Julian Cash and Henry Patten.
Britain’s Joe Salisbury is playing with Rajeev Ram and are among the favourites for the title.
Lloyd Glasspool is the last Brit in doubles action today alongside Harri Heliovaara.
Lily Miyazaki is set to play around 4pm today (Image: GETTY)
15 hours ago09: 57 Stuart Ballard
Alcaraz well restedIt was the perfect start for Carlos Alcaraz has he was given an early night after Dominik Koepfer retired hurt from their first-round match.
The German tennis player rolled his ankle midway through the second set and was unable to continue.
And while Alcaraz was sad to see his opponent retire from the match, the Spaniard was pleased to get an early night at this stage of the tournament.
He said: “Obviously I want to play battles. I want to play the full matches. This is not the best way to win a match.
“But obviously playing night session, I’m happy to come back early, have some rest. Well, a little bit more than I expect before starting the match.
“It’s going to be better for me to recover into the next round.”
Carlos Alcaraz’s opponent retired from the match hurt (Image: GETTY)
15 hours ago09: 25 Stuart Ballard
McEnroe absence explainedJohn McEnroe will have no part to play in this year’s US Open coverage after the tennis icon tested positive for Covid.
The American is usually ESPN’s lead tennis analyst, but he released a statement on Tuesday confirming why he was absent.
“Unfortunately, after feeling a bit under the weather, I tested positive for COVID,” McEnroe said.
“I’m watching the US Open from home and can’t wait to get back to work soon.”
16 hours ago08: 49 Stuart Ballard
Sabalenka handshake snubThe first handshake snub of the tournament took place overnight as Aryna Sabalenka was snubbed at the net by Ukraine-born Maryna Zanevska.
No 2 seed Sabalenka cruised into the second round at the expense of Zanevska, winning 6-3 6-2.
Sabalenka walked up to the net to shake hands with her opponent, but appeared taken back as Zanevska, who announced the US Open would be her final tournament before retiring, walked straight to her chair.
There could be even more drama in the second round when No 26 seed Elina Svitolina, who has been outspoken against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, faces off against Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
17 hours ago07: 57 Stuart Ballard
‘Smells like Snoop Dogg’s living room’First it was Maria Sakkari on Court 17 who complained about the strong smell of weed lingering in the air throughout her first-round matches.
Now Alexander Zverev has become the latest player to speak out on the scent.
He said: “Court 17 definitely smells like Snoop Dogg’s living room.
“Oh my God, it´s everywhere. The whole court smells like weed.”
17 hours ago07: 24 Stuart Ballard
Good morning BritsHello again to those (like me) are just waking up and looking to catch up on last night’s US Open action.
We’ve now moved from yesterday’s blog, but you can look back on everything that happened overnight right here.
We’ll bring you fresh updates from the tournament today with Novak Djokovic back in action while the biggest match of the day is arguably Mirra Andreeva versus Coco Gauff.
Stay tuned!
Andy Murray is through to the next round (Image: GETTY)
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