Tsitsipas, Fritz Falter In US Open Upsets, Medvedev Wins; Nadal Returns Tues Night

It didn’t take long for the upsets to hit the US Open men’s draw. On opening day, two top 10 seeds fell as fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas saw a reoccurrence of his elbow injury and then American No. 1 and No. 10 seed Taylor Fritz was bundled out. Both lost to qualifiers.

Tsitsipas dropped the first 11 games to Daniel Elahi Galan before the trainer came out. The Greek made a match of it grabbing the second but Galan, on his 9th match point, sealed the 6-0, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 upset.

“He dominated the match,” Tsitsipas said after. “I just couldn’t get into it.”

A popular deep pick, Fritz fell apart against fellow 24-year-old Californian Brandon Holt. The qualifier let the powerful Fritz implode in his Grand Slam debut with a 6-7(3), 7-6(1), 6-3, 6-4 win.

World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev had little trouble cruising past Stefan Kozlov 6-2, 6-4, 6-0. Medvedev has now won his last 8 matches at the US Open and the tournament favorite has made at least the semifinalist the last three years.

“I am pleased to win. Not easy conditions. Pretty hot and humid here,” Medvedev said on court. “I was sweating a lot but I thought there were some good points. I managed to be pretty solid and I thought the serve was key today. I am happy to go through to the second round.”

Felix Auger-Aliassime, a semifinal victim of Medvedev’s last year, advanced in four sets.

Former champions Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka both lost. Thiem was sent home by Pablo Carreno Busta in four sets while Wawrinka retired down two sets to Corentin Moutet.

But Andy Murray had a great win topping Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets with relative ease.

“It was very tricky conditions today,” Murray said on court. “Very humid and hot. I am very happy with the way I got through that one, it was not easy. He has had a brilliant year this year and I knew I had to play well and I did in the important moments.”

Matteo Berrettini, Casper Ruud and Karen Khachanov were also winners. Nick Kyrgios eased past his friend Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4).

Tomorrow, Rafael Nadal returns to the US Open for the first time since winner in 2019. Carlos Alcaraz opens play on Ashe.

Jannik Sinner, John Isner and Marin Cilic are also in action.

US OPEN TUESDAY SCHEDULE
Arthur Ashe Stadium, Day Session – 12:00 PM Start
Sebastian Baez (ARG) vs. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [3]
Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) vs. Venus Williams (USA) (WC)

7:00 PM Start
Rinky Hijikata (AUS) (WC) vs. Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2]
Naomi Osaka (JPN) vs. Danielle Collins (USA) [19]

Louis Armstrong Stadium, Day Session – 11:00 AM Start
Iga Swiatek (POL) [1] vs. Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
Greet Minnen (BEL) vs. Sloane Stephens (USA)
Daniel Altmaier (GER) vs. Jannik Sinner (ITA) [11]

7:00 PM Start
Emma Raducanu (GBR) [11] vs. Alizé Cornet (FRA)
Diego Schwartzman (ARG) [14] vs. Jack Sock (USA)

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