(Auggust 27, 2024) FLUSHING, NY – Top sees Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz overcame tests on Tueday to advance to the second round of the US Open.
No. 1 Swiatek, beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 7-6 (6), wining the last five points in the tiebreak to close the match. Other major women champions Elena Rybakina and Caroline Wozniacki advanced. No. 5 Jasmine Paolini, a finalist at the French Open and Wimbledon this year, rallied past 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, whilw No. 6 Jessica Pegula.
“I’m happy that I’m through to the second round, because, you know, first rounds are never easy,” noted Swiatek.
“But for sure I want to improve some things and adjust a little bit so I’ll make less mistakes. But I’m happy that I’m in the second round.”
On the men’s side, No. 1 Jannik Sinner needed four sets to beat Mackie McDonald 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.It’s Sinner’s first match since he was cleared from a doping case.
“Tough match obviously.,” Sinner said. “First matches are never easy. Took some time to get in the rhythm, but very happy how I ended the match, which hopefully can give me confidence for the next match.
“Glad to be in the second round.”
“I felt like he was playing some great tennis. Not missing any shots. I struggled a little bit how to play. You know, we prepared in one way which he read my game pretty well. You know, it’s normal.
“You know, the first rounds are never easy, especially in Grand Slams. And yeah, I think, you know, was set and break down, so, you know, when I broke him back in the second set, that gave me a little bit of confidence.
“And after I started to raise my level, he dropped a little bit and I think that’s how it went.”
No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz made it past Li Tu during the night session 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
“I’m really happy to get through and get a chance to be better the next round,” noted teh Spaniard. “Obviously, I felt well on court. I think I hit the ball well. I moved well.
“A few things that I have to improve if I want to, you know, keep going in the draw, but obviously I have to give credit to him as well that he played really good tennis and today surprised me a little bit in the second set.
“After that, really I leave the court happy with my performance.”
Seeds advancing on the men’s side were No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, No. 7 Hubert Hurkacz and No. 25 Jack Draper,. Those seeds falling were No. 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 19 Felix Auger-Aliassime and No. 23 Karen Khachanov.
