Jack Draper made his US Open debut winning against Emil Ruusuvuori to set up a second-round clash with sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
While all eyes were on Serena Williams over Arthur Ashe, Draper ruthlessly embarked on business on Court Nine, winning 6-4 6-3 6-3 over Finn Ruusuvuori.
While this is Draper’s first senior game at Flushing Meadows, it’s been his rise to prominence this season that he has been seen as the man to avoid in the draw.
The same can be said for Ruusuvuori, who ranks four places above Draper at 49 and beat the 20-year-old Londoner at Queen’s this summer.
But here Draper showed his speed of improvement by seizing the opportunities that came his way.
He converted all five break points he created and dropped serve just once to book an intriguing second-round tie against Canadian Auger-Aliassime.
“It was my third Grand Slam, second in terms of achievement. I’d say it was a really important win for me,” Draper said.
“He had me at Queen’s, he played an incredible game there, so there were definitely doubts in my mind before the game.
“But I’m proud of how I handled the first time here, thinking I played a solid match.
“I think I can still improve tennis but mentally and physically it was a good performance.”
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Action from the US Open, where there were wins for Serena Williams and Nick Kyrgios but there was a setback for Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was beaten by Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan in qualifying
Defending champion Medvedev gets off to a good start as Tsitsipas comes home
Defending Champion Daniil Medvedev also got off to a smooth start to his US Open campaign but “half-dead” Stefanos Tsitsipas suffered a shock defeat against Daniel Elahi Galan.
It was not only a loss but also a surprise when Tsitsipas, one of only five men who could finish the tournament ranked 1 in the world, lost the first 11 matches.
From there, he recovered and took the third set but Colombia’s Galan, ranked 94th, could not be denied the best win of his career, eventually earning his ninth match point for the victory. 6-0 6-1 3-6 7-5.
Tsitsipas had treatment on his right arm but did not use that as an excuse, he said: “I was very motivated and in high spirits before the US Open started because I knew I could use this tournament to advance. closer to number 1.
“It would be very strange if it didn’t come to my mind because this is what I’ve wanted since I was a kid and I knew this was my chance to do it. It didn’t go as planned.
Stefanos Tsitsipas struggled to progress as he lost the first 11 games of his first-round clash
“My arm was pretty tired, nothing could have happened after my shots. He came back incredibly well. He did a great job, he completely dominated the game. I just didn’t. I can’t participate in the match at all. I’m just like that. half alive, half dead.”
No such problem for Medvedev, who lost just six games in a 6-2 6-4 6-0 win over American Stefan Kozlov.
The Russian, who beat Novak Djokovic 12 months ago to lift his first Grand Slam trophy, is hoping to redraw his positive memories.
“I definitely don’t want to forget them. There’s a bit [of] added pressure but mostly I didn’t feel it,” he said.
“I know I want to play well and, if I don’t do that, I don’t care that I won the championship last year, I’ll just be disappointed that this year didn’t go as I wanted.
“Definitely that gives me a lot of confidence because I’ve always played well here. I remember last year being some crazy games. They were all at a high level compared to me. That’s what I do. want to continue working this year.”
Kyrgios defeats duel partner and good friend Kokkinakis
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis had a friendly confrontation in the first round of the US Open
Nick Kyrgios used to be the main event but he coped well with the role of an underdog this time as he tracked Serena Williams into Arthur Ashe and beat his doubles partner and good friend Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3
6-4 7-6 (7-4).
The Wimbledon finalist was knocked out of the first round last year but got in business in just over two hours, leaping into the air to smash a volley in the air to seal a routine first set. after breaking Kokkinakis in the penultimate match. .
Kyrgios snapped Kokkinakis to open the second set, shooting down 14 winners – twice as many opponents – in a relatively pristine performance.
Unwilling to take down without a fight, the naked Kokkinakis defeated 10 aces in the final set but was simply no match for the excellent Kyrgios, who dropped only two intersections. his first ball.
“I think I played the first few sets really well,” said the Australian.
“When we both saw the draw, it was a nightmare. We never wanted to play together.
“I can’t wait to go out with him on the right side of the net and play doubles over the next few days. Hopefully never again but I’m really happy going forward.”
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