R1 is done. We have seen big upsets, comebacks, withdrawals and much more over the last 48 hours, so what are the stories?
Halep out!
This is the main story, Simona Halep has been dumped out of Flushing Meadows by Kaia Kanepi who was too strong from the baseline and Halep could not shift the momentum. She was a break down in set two and clawed it back but couldn’t gain any rhythm.
The only good news Halep can take from this is that she will not lose her number one ranking.
Andy recovers!
Andy Murray had a bit of a fight on his hands against James Duckworth from Australia. The Australian just went for it and was strong off the baseline and this was something that he sustained for a while and even took the first set but so is the tenacious never giving up attitude of Murray from a set down he secured his first Grand Slam win in over a year.
Garbine & Sloane impress!
The two ladies who really impressed me on Day 1 were Garbine Muguruza and Sloane Stephens. I was really impressed with the performance of both ladies who are in the same half.
Garbine was super impressive against Zhang dropping just three games in her 6-3 6-0 win and usually for me it takes a few performances until I feel convinced she can challenge. Sloane Stephens was also super impressive. You could sense the nerves throughout the match and then witnessing the relief on her face at the end. It was the perfect start to her title defence.
Edmund out!
Slight concern for Kyle Edmund who didn’t cope well with the heat and seemed to be unwell as he fell in round one something he will be super disappointed with following a very good season.
Usual business
It was a round of usual business as well for Roger, Rafa, Serena, Del Potro, Wozniacki and Novak but the Serb did drop a set on route to securing his place into round two.
Confidence crisis?
I while ago I hinted at it and now something looks like it needs to change and maybe it is time. Dimitrov looked out of confidence, he was hitting with hope and it was bad to see.
Youngsters impress!
It was a good time out for De Minaur, Chung and Shapovalov who all impressed especially the Australian who won 6-0 6-1 6-2 against Taro Daniel to secure his place in the next round.
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