Two Aussie tennis underdogs have earned a mega payday having won their first round matches at the US Open in a huge boost for the Aussie contingent, while the tournament was rocked after Madison Keys was eliminated. Priscilla Hon and Adam Walton both won their first round singles matches at Flushing Meadows with the tennis fighters set to earn $237,000 for their triumphs.
Hon had never won at the US Open in three attempts, but finally got the breakthrough having emerged victorious 6-3 7-5 against Frenchwoman Leolia Jeanjean. Hon’s victory comes after doing it tough in marching through qualifiers to reach the first round.
Adam Walton (pictured left) and Priscilla Hon will both receive huge paydays for winning their first round matches at the US Open, while No.6 seed Madison Keys was eliminated. (Images: Getty Images)
The Aussie will now reach a career-high ranking after the tournament, regardless of her next result, but is determined to go one step further. She will take on Russian Liudmila Samsonova in the next round, but vowed to give it her all in front of the buzzing crowd.
“Obviously she’s an unreal player. She’s got a very big game, so I know the ball will be coming fast like me,” Hon said. “I played her a couple of years ago, and I did win that one. I remember that. So, yeah, I mean I have nothing to lose.
“I feel good on these courts and I’ll just go out there and not think too much of it being second round of the US Open and just think of it as another match.” Hon’s win is a huge bonus for the Aussie who failed to qualify at the Cincinnati and National Bank tournaments in the lead up to the US Open. But Hon is excited for to be in New York having claimed it is her favourite tournament, outside of the Australian Open.
Priscilla Hon (pictured) defeated Leolia Jeanjean at the US Open.
Adam Walton continues solid form in US
While Hon got her first win at Flushing Meadows, Walton caused one of biggest upsets of the day having taken down No.22 seed Hugo Humbert 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-1 in a monumental result. While Walton suggested the victory was ‘up there’ with one of his biggest wins, the Aussie was remaining level-headed as he seeks a third round berth.
“It’s up there,” Walton said of wins in his career. “At a slam, to beat a seeded player and it’s a first win and you take great confidence in doing so. So obviously very happy with the win.”
Walton has been in solid form during the North American campaign after a horror run in 2025. Walton hadn’t won in 12 matches heading into the Cincinnati Open before reaching the round of 32. He also made the Mifel Tennis Open semi-final in Mexico.
While Walton knocked over the No.22 seed in New York, it’s not the biggest scalp he has claimed this year. Only a couple of weeks ago, Walton defeated Daniil Medvedev at the Cincinnati Open to help his career ranking. And the 26-year-old is now guaranteed to at least reach World No.74 after the grand slam.
“I’ve had a great American summer,” he said. “I feel more comfortable being back on the hard courts, and I’m just glad that this American summer I’ve really been able to capitalise on some good matches and some good wins. Last year was was horrible. I didn’t win a match. But I’m just feeling very happy with where my game’s at right now.”
Incredibly, Walton has the opportunity for another big payday with his next match-up against Hong Kong qualifier Coleman Wong. World No.176 Wong stunned the men’s draw having defeated Aleksandar Kovacevic in straight sets to reach the next round.
Wong, a product of Rafa Nadal’s academy, said he had already received a message from the Spanish star after the win. “I’m still soaking it in, because it’s a big moment for me and also my family, and Hong Kong people back home. It means a lot,” Wong said.
Walton adds another top 50 scalp!
Rising 🇦🇺 Adam Walton in back to back tournaments defeats a top 50 player to move into the 2nd round of the US Open.
👉 Was 0-12 heading into Cincinnati, since taking down Medvedev (13) and now Humbert.
👉 Up to Live ‘74’ CH.
Next: 🇭🇰… pic.twitter.com/vWJCK2IXN7
— The First Serve (@TheFirstServeAU) August 25, 2025
US Open rocked after Madison Keys exit
While Walton stunned the men’s draw, Mexican star Renata Zarazua caused the damage on the women’s side having knocked out No.6 seed Madison Keys. Keys struggled on serve throughout the contest and managed 14 double faults in front of her home crowd.
The World No.82 took advantage of her opponents struggles and won 6-7 7-6 7-5 to set-up a clash with France’s Diane Parry. Keys’ loss marked only the second time in 30 years a top 10 women’s seed had been defeated in the first round at the US Open.
RENATA ZARAZÚA UPSETS NO. 6 MADISON KEYS 😮
It’s only the second time in the last 30 years that an American woman seeded Top 10 lost in the first round at the US Open. pic.twitter.com/phUc5GkRkX
— ESPN (@espn) August 25, 2025
Zarazua d. Madison Keys 6-7(10) 7-6(3) 7-5 at U.S. Open
2 points from going home
Renata gets the biggest win of her life
She’s into the 2nd round of a Slam for the 5th time
The only Mexican player, man or woman, in the top 100
✅1st top 10 win
What a proud moment
🇲🇽❤️ pic.twitter.com/EQA5INtE5A
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025