US Open 2019: Thrilling contests rule Day 2
Day 2 of the US Open 2019 produced some breathtaking results in the men's and women's singles at the Flushing Meadows. Defending champion Naomi Osaka avoided a shock defeat in the opening round. Vintage Rafael Nadal sealed an important victory. However, Greek rising sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas and the reliable Dominic Thiem faced exits. Here are the details.
Nadal looked sharp in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory against John Millman. The 33-year-old veteran will take on Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round. Nadal, who is in the spotlight for his injuries, will want to avoid any mishaps and march on.
Tennis' bad boy Nick Kyrgios reached the second round at Flushing Meadows by defeating American Steve Johnson 6-3, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4. The Australian, seeded 28th, fired 24 aces on the way to his victory and will face French wildcard Antoine Hoang next. "I knew I had to play top-flight tennis. I had to serve well. I'm happy to get through," said Kyrgios.
21-year-old Tsitsipas was stunned 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 7-5 by Andrey Rublev. "I feel like I'm doing the same thing over and over again, and my brain can't really take it any more," Tsitsipas stated. Fourth seed Thiem lost 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6 to unseeded Italian Thomas Fabbiano. Ninth seed Karen Khachanov also lost after a 6-4, 5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 3-6 thriller against Vasek Pospisil.
Women's singles world number one Osaka managed to survive a nervous start to scrape past Russian 20-year-old Anna Blinkova 6-4, 6-7, (5-7) 6-2. "I don't think I've ever been this nervous in my life," Osaka said. She was joined by Wimbledon 2019 champion Simona Halep, who was also taken to a third set by American Nicole Gibbs but won 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
American 15-year-old star Coco Gauff came from a set and a break down to beat Anastasia Potapova 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in a spirited affair. "I wanted to win and I was trying to calm myself down. The crowd really helped me. I was almost out," said Gauff after her splendid victory.
Two-time finalist Caroline Wozniacki got the better off Danielle Collins. A shock looked on the cards but the Dane bounced back after losing the first set to seal a 1-6, 7-5 6-3 win. Meanwhile, Alison Riske stunned Spaniard Garbine Muguruza in a 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory. Two-time Wimbledon champion and sixth seed Petra Kvitova beat fellow Czech Denisa Allertova 6-2, 6-4.
