Key events
45m ago
Jacob Fearnley beats Martín Landaluce 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
2h ago
Carlos Alcaraz (2) beats Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
2h ago
Amanda Anisimova (10) beats Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 6-3
3h ago
Rublev beats Virtanen: 6-7(5), 6-7(0), 6-0, 6-2, 7-6(5)
4h ago
Alcaraz wins the first set v Safiullin: 6-4
4h ago
Tsitsispas beats Fils: 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-4
4h ago
Dart beats Stearns: 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
5h ago
Aryna Sabalenka (1) beats Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4
7h ago
Preamble
Right, I’m going to wrap things up there. We’ve got plenty more coverage over the next fortnight so don’t run too far away. Thanks for reading.
Jacob Fearnley re-watches the smash he messed up while on match point: “It was starting to rain as well, the rain was getting a little bit in my eyes,” he tells Sky. Nonetheless, he did a decent job moving on from it.
Updated at 17.39 EDT
Jacob Fearnley beats Martín Landaluce 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
Fearnley races away to 40-0 – this’ll be the end, surely. He needs just one go as Landaluce overcooks a forehand. It’s a fine comeback by the Briton, who reaches the second round for the second year in a row.
Updated at 17.53 EDT
Does Fearnley still have those two match points on his mind? Looks like he’s moved on: he nails the forehand smash this time round to make it 30-all on Landaluce’s serve. The Spaniard holds to 30, and it’s time for Fearnley to serve for the match – again. He leads 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 5-3.
It gets even better for Fearnley, who has three chances to break Landaluce’s serve. The Spaniard sends down an ace but then nets a forehand. Fearnley, 5-1 up in the fifth set, will serve for the match – and he’s in a rush. A sharp backhand winner is followed by a forehand that’s placed even better. He has two match points and messes up the first in comical style, completely missing a forehand smash! And then a wide forehand takes us to deuce! And then a double fault! Yikes!
Landaluce doesn’t convert the break point, but he’s got another after Fearnley double-faults again – and the Briton goes long! We’re not done just yet. Fearnley leads 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 5-2.
Updated at 17.53 EDT
Great Britain’s Jacob Fearnley is deep into a five-setter … and it’s going his way. He’s 4-1 up in the deciding set against Martín Landaluce, who is down a break.
Jacob Fearnley in action. Photograph: Ella Ling/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 17.53 EDT
Well, what’s happened here? Stan Wawrinka was down 5-3 – he’s now 6-5 up in the first set against Matteo Berrettini. The Italian is serving, stuck on deuce, but he eventually takes us to a tie-break.
Wawrinka brushes the net cord with a forehand winner before his one-handed backhand goes long. Berrettini goes 3-2 up before unleashing a monster serve, setting him up for an advance to the net and a thumping forehand. Wawrinka, 41 years young, levels up – he runs his opponent ragged before finishing with a cool backhand drive down the line.
Nonetheless, Berrettini wins the tussle, sealed with a rollicking forehand. The 2019 US Open semi-finalist takes the first set 7-6 (4).
Stefanos Tsitsipas has spoken to Sky about his impressive victory against the in-form 10th seed Arthur Fils.
double quotation markToday I feel like I wasn’t thinking too much, which was a great thing – I played simple tennis, I wished it would work … and the philosophies during the match? Not too many.
If the serve goes well, on the line, perfect. I don’t think I can do that every single point. I was on an 80% mentality – I wasn’t striving for 100%.
Updated at 17.56 EDT
Stan Wawrinka, playing in the final grand slam of his career, is in action on Grandstand against Matteo Berrettini – the pair met at Wimbledon this year, with Wawrinka taking the first set before Berrettini recovered to win in four. It’s 10 years since Wawrinka triumphed at Flushing Meadows for the third and final slam of his career, beating Novak Djokovic in the final. Berrettini is a break ahead in the first set, leading 5-3.
Alcaraz steps up to the mic and talks about his absence from the court.
double quotation markIt’s been a really tough five months for me so being able to step in the Arthur Ashe, to compete again … here in New York it’s a really special place for me, a really special tournament for me … I missed the crowd’s energy, I missed competition, I missed everything. I’m just really, really happy that I was able to compete again.
ShareCarlos Alcaraz (2) beats Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
Safiullin holds, with Alcaraz to serve for the match. He has the crowd whooping after closing a lengthy rally with a lush forehand drop and, backpedalling, he whips a forehand winner to set up two match points. He needs just one. Alcaraz, after four months out, starts his US Open run with little drama.
Carlos Alcaraz reacts as he defeats Roman Safiullin. Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 15.59 EDT
At 15-30, Alcaraz is in a tiny spot of bother … but a backhand volley is his mode of escape. A massive serve extends Alcaraz’s lead to 6-4, 6-4, 5-3.
Safiullin holds to 30 but we’re waiting for the inevitable. Alcaraz leads 6-4, 6-4, 4-3.
ShareAmanda Anisimova (10) beats Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 6-3
Amanda Anisimova, runner-up last year, progresses in straight sets against her compatriot Ashlyn Krueger. And, guess what, it’s Anisimova’s birthday. Many happy returns.
Alcaraz doesn’t nail a drop shot and Safiullin has enough time to get to it and hit a deft winner. It’s just a consolation, though – Alcaraz rushes through his service game. He leads 6-4, 6-4, 3-1.
Updated at 15.38 EDT
Safiullin sends an ace straight down the middle but nets a backhand to hand Alcaraz a break point. Alcaraz pings a forehand to the corner and Safiullin is in no position to deliver a clean backhand in response. He finds the net again and Alcaraz has control of the third set, too. Alcaraz leads 6-4, 6-4, 2-1.
Here’s a little twist: Safiullin has two chances to break. A whippy Alcaraz forehand denies him the first and the Russian goes long with the second. A double fault by Alcaraz hands Safiullin a third break point … but the Spaniard is granted time to slap another forehand winner. Alcaraz escapes: he leads 6-4, 6-4, 1-1.
Safiullin kicks-off the third set on his serve and holds to 30, keeping his cool on the final point at the net despite Alcaraz’s impressive defence. Alcaraz leads 6-4, 6-4, 0-1.
Safiullin and Alcaraz have both left the court so it’ll be a little wait until that third set gets started. The Russian has reached the second round at Flushing Meadows three years in a row – we’re on for an all-timer if he makes it four.
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Taha Hashim
Hello again, folks. Alcaraz, the sliding menace, delivers a deft volley before a show of power takes him to set point. He overdoes a cross-court forehand, taking us to deuce. But a forehand down the line is followed by a wide forehand by Safiullin. Alcaraz claims the second set and leads 6-4, 6-4.
My work here is done – Taha is back.
ShareRublev beats Virtanen: 6-7(5), 6-7(0), 6-0, 6-2, 7-6(5)
A mammoth five-set battle on Court 7, in which the world No 24 Rublev battles back from two sets down to see off the Finnish player Otto Virtanen, ranked 109.
Andrey Rublev reacts to victory. Photograph: Yuki Iwamura/APShare
Updated at 15.02 EDT
*Safiullin 4-6, 3-5 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
One game away from 2-0 in sets for Alcaraz.
Safiullin 4-6, 3-4 *Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
Like clockwork. The singlet-sporting Spaniard seals a precious break in the often-crucial seventh game of the set, just as he did in the first. Safiullin is battling admirably but all the signs are that Alcaraz is going to have too much.
Updated at 14.55 EDT
It’s quickly 0-30 on the Russian’s serve.
“Alcaraz sensing the opportunity in this seventh game,” observes Tim Henman on commentary.
*Safiullin 4-6, 3-3 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
Even stevens.
Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPAShare
If you missed it … Tumaini Carayol on Novak Djokovic’s abrupt exit:
The first night session of the US Open this year was approaching the three-hour mark when Novak Djokovic walked briskly to the corner of the vast Arthur Ashe Stadium court, bent down and vomited the contents of his stomach straight into the towel bin.
Updated at 14.48 EDT
Safiullin 4-6, 3-2 *Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
The Russian is ranked 99 in the world, and Alcaraz is No 3, but the underdog is putting up a good fight here and he holds serve for 3-2 in the third.
Of course, Safiullin would have hoped that Alcaraz would perhaps not be at his best after a long injury absence.
Updated at 14.46 EDT
Also in the men’s singles: Alex Michelsen (USA) v Federico Cina (Italy).
Looks like Michelsen fans will be dancing in the streets this evening, because he’s romping home at is stands: 6-4, 6-1, 3-0.
Alex Michelsen. Photograph: Caleb Bowlin/Getty ImagesShare
*Safiullin 4-6, 2-2 Alcaraz (*denotes next server).
All square in the second set on Arthur Ashe.
Safiullin had a sniff of 3-0 moments ago, but Alcaraz breaks back for 2-1.
Updated at 14.40 EDT
Over on Court 12, Britain’s Jacob Fearnley is taking on Martin Landaluce of Spain, in a match they started yesterday but was delayed due to rain.
Fearnley has just taken the second set, which makes the scores on the doors: Landaluce 6-4, 2-6 Fearnley
Jacob Fearnley. Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 14.38 EDT
Women’s singles latest:
Chwalinska (20th seed) 2-4 Townsend
Blinkova 4-6, 1-2 Kalinskaya (21st seed)
Zidansek 3-6, 4-4 Timofeeva
Updated at 14.35 EDT
*Safiullin 4-6, 2-0 Alcaraz (*denotes next server).
Steady on, Roman! The Russian breaks to love, and has started the second set like a train.
Roman Safiullin. Photograph: Mike Segar/ReutersShare
Updated at 14.32 EDT
Safiullin 4-6, 1-0 *Alcaraz (*denotes next server).
ShareAlcaraz wins the first set v Safiullin: 6-4
He’s back!
“So great to see him ripping forehands,” says Robson, analysing the action for Sky Sports.
“To have that freedom, after so long out … you can’t replicate that [on a practice court] – but you can’t teach that. He loves being on the big stage like this.”
And what about the singlet?
“It could do with a little bit more material,” says Robson. “It depends what you’re looking for.”
Fair.
Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/ReutersShare
Updated at 15.05 EDT
Tsitsispas beats Fils: 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-4
The 10th seed is out, in four sets! A massive win for Tsitsispas: his best for some time.
Stefanos Tsitsipas returns against Arthur Fils. Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 14.24 EDT
Safiullin 4-5 *Alcaraz (*denotes next server).
Safiullin produces a sumptuous volley, coming to the net, to buy himself advantage. He saves two break points and forces the Spaniard to serve it out …
Anna Kalinskaya (seeded 21) is 5-4 up on Anna Blinkova in their first set on Court 5.
Anna Kalinskaya. Photograph: Robert Prange/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 14.19 EDT
And now a set point for the 23-year-old Spaniard.
The commentators are discussing Alcaraz’s outfit. His top is a brown singlet-type number, with little left to the imagination.
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/ReutersShare
*Safiullin 3-5 Alcaraz (*denotes next server).
Again it’s a bit of a struggle on serve, again he gets the job done. Safiullin must serve to stay in this first set.
Now deuce on the Alcaraz serve …
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Bryan Armen Graham
Sunday had become Monday by the time Venus Williams finally emerged beneath the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, her entrance pushed deep into the night after Novak Djokovic’s bruising defeat by Argentina’s Mariano Navone went the five-set distance. The first ball was struck at 12.13am, the latest start to a match in US Open history, yet several thousand spectators remained to watch a player who has been part of this tournament for as long as the building itself.
Venus Williams. Photograph: Frank Franklin II/APShare
Updated at 14.14 EDT
“You can definitely tell there’s some rust,” says the Sky Sports pundit Laura Robson of Alcaraz, who has been out injured for four months with a wrist problem.
“I think is he a bit undercooked physically, perhaps … you can’t replicate this intensity on the practice court.”
Updated at 14.11 EDT
Safiullin 3-4 *Alcaraz (*denotes next server).
First blood to the Spaniard: he wastes one break point, but takes the second with a searing 108mph forehand winner. Boom!
Break points for Alcaraz in the seventh game: it’s 15-40 …
Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 14.06 EDT
*Safiullin 3-3 Alcaraz (*denotes next server).
Safiullin 3-2 *Alcaraz (*denotes next server).
It stays with serve on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Updated at 14.00 EDT
*Safiullin 2-2 Alcaraz (*denotes next server).
The seven-times grand slam winner, Alcaraz, is taken to deuce in his second service game. He closes it out after a minor scare.
Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 13.58 EDT
Dart beats Stearns: 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Victory for the Briton, Harriet Dart, who moves into the second round with a three-set win.
Harriet Dart of Great Britain returns against Peyton Stearns. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 13.57 EDT
*Safiullin 1-1 Alcaraz (*denotes next server).
Safiullin 1-0 *Alcaraz (*denotes next server). The Russian holds, and it’s the Spaniard’s turn.
Russia’s Roman Safiullin. Photograph: Seth Wenig/APShare
Updated at 14.06 EDT
Carlos Alcaraz is out on court, and knocking up against Roman Safiullin of Russia.
(Full name: Roman Rishatovich Safiullin.)
Here comes Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/ReutersShare
Updated at 13.33 EDT