Defending champion Daniil Medvedev got off to a strong start to his US Open campaign, but the ‘half-dead’ Stefanos Tsitsipas suffered a shock defeat to Daniel Elahi Galan.
Tsitsipas, one of the top five players in the world rankings, lost his first 11 matches, not only as a surprise, but in the way he lost.
From there he rallied and took the third set, but the 94th-ranked Colombian Galán could not deny himself a career-best victory, eventually earning his ninth match point to score 6-0. 0 6-1 3-6 7-5 victory.
A moment in the career of Daniel Elahi Galan. pic.twitter.com/SMG0Hh9K3o
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2022
Tsitsipas had surgery on his right arm, but that wasn’t an excuse.
“This is something I’ve wanted since I was a kid and I know now is my chance to step it up, so it would be very strange if it didn’t come to mind. It just didn’t go as planned.”
“My arm was pretty tired and nothing came out of my stroke. I was half dead.”
There were no such problems for Medvedev, who beat Stefan Kozlov of the United States 6-2 6-4 6-0.
The Russian, who defeated Novak Djokovic to lift his first Grand Slam trophy 12 months ago, wants to keep the positive memories alive. A little (of) extra pressure, but you hardly feel it.
“I know I want to play well and if I don’t, I don’t care what I won last year. I’m just disappointed that this year didn’t turn out the way I wanted.”
“I always played well here, so it definitely gave me a lot of confidence. I remember last year was a crazy match. I want to continue,” he said.
Efficient performance on R1 @NickKyrgios 👍 pic.twitter.com/X0uE1GmtsA
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2022
Nick Kyrgios is used to being the main eventer, but this time he did well in the alternate role, joining Serena Williams in Arthur Ashe and taking on his doubles partner and best friend Tanasi Kokkinakis 6-3 6. -4 7-6 (4) defeated. .
“I thought I played really well in the first few sets,” said the Australian. “When we both saw the draw, it was a nightmare. We don’t want to play with each other.
“I can’t wait to be on the right side of the net with him and play doubles in a few days. I hope it never happens again, but I’m really happy to move forward.”
Dominic Thiem was unable to defend the title he won last year in 2020 due to a long-lasting wrist injury, losing to No. 12 seed Pablo Careno 7-5 6-1 5-7 6-3. It was only one game. Basta.
Sixth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime lost a set to qualifier Alexander Richard of Switzerland, but recovered to win 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to become the fifth seed. Casper Roode beat Kyle Edmund comfortably.
However, former champion Stan Wawrinka retired after losing the first two sets to France’s Corentin Mutet.
Meanwhile, former junior champion Wu Yibing scored a landmark victory. He became the first man from China to win a main-draw match at an Open Era Grand Slam.
Zhang Zhizhen missed seven match points in the third set, losing by five to Tim Van Rijthoven.
Brandon Holt, son of two-time former champion Tracy Austin, knocked out leading American Taylor Fritz 6-7(3) 7-6(1) 6-3 6-4. , built up his run in qualifying.
The 10th seed Fritz scathingly criticized his performance, stating: It feels terrible. I’ve played really well and had really high expectations. It’s silly to think that you can win this, that you can win the US Open. I can’t go out and play a match like that. ”
