Author: Chandra Moulee Das, Serg Atrakhov
After a two-year absence, Novak Djokovic made a triumphant return to Flushing Meadows, securing a dominant win in the first round of the US Open. He defeated Frenchman Alexandre Muller with ease, winning an impressive 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 victory.
Two down, one to go.
Novak Djokovic is on a midnight mission. pic.twitter.com/HtdSrWysz8
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2023
Caroline Wozniacki, the former world number one and two-time finalist, has shown an impressive resurgence on the Grand Slam stage. She secured a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Tatiana Prozorova, marking her successful return after her last appearance at the 2020 Australian Open.
Smooth in set one!@CaroWozniacki takes the opening set in her return to the #USOpen. pic.twitter.com/2V9vJCfL2L
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2023
After an absence of more than three years, Wozniacki returned to competitive tennis earlier this month. Her next challenge in the tournament is a clash against two-time major winner Petra Kvitova in the second round. Kvitova, the 11th seed from the Czech Republic, advanced by beating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 7-6(5).
Paula approves 👏
Stefanos Tsitsipas is up two sets to none vs Milos Raonic. pic.twitter.com/cHdFli3XtD
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2023
Greek seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas showed his skill by securing a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Canadian Milos Raonic.
Dropshot ➡️ Volley
Beatriz Haddad Maia is closing in on a straight-set win over Sloane Stephens. pic.twitter.com/CKmyxxBUqL
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2023
São Paulo’s Beatriz Haddad Maia needed almost three hours (2h56) to beat American Sloane Stevens. The Brazilian tennis player, ranked 19th by the WTA, beat the 2017 US Open champion (ranked 36th) 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.
This match on Armstrong! 👀
Beatriz Haddad Maia and Sloane Stephens are battling in the third set. pic.twitter.com/TyHFN3DxOp
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2023
The Brazilian showed her resilience in a tight first round match at the US Open. Haddad Maia, a semi-finalist at Roland Garros 2023, impressively saved 11 of her 15 break points during the match, leading Stephens to yet another early exit from a Grand Slam.
That Round 2 feeling for Beatriz Haddad Maia 😌 pic.twitter.com/xvS8FqSKxT
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2023
With the match tied at one set, Stephens struggled to match Haddad Maia’s formidable performance in the third set. Haddad Maia made more than 20 winners, sealing his victory.
By the way, in the last two seasons, Bia has won the most third sets. This is his 28th victory since the start of 2022.
“I think it’s because I’m Brazilian, I didn’t know these numbers before. One of the qualities of my team is to work on my body for these matches, my physical trainer, my physio, my coach are the reasons to be well physically and mentally to be well in these matches no matter what,” said the Brazilian.
In the second round, her opponent will be another American, Taylor Townsend (132nd in the rankings), who eliminated Varvara Gracheva in the first round 6-4, 6-2.
Bea loves the support from 🇧🇷 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/aGJ7oLU7VY
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2023
Kei Nishikori’s withdrawal from the last Grand Slam of the year due to a persistent left knee injury has opened the door for James Duckworth to take his place in the men’s singles draw at Flushing Meadows. Despite his defeat in the qualifying rounds, Duckworth is scheduled to compete against Brazil’s Felipe Meligeni Alves in the opening round of the US Open on Tuesday.