Key events<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 1d ago<\/p>\n Musetti defeats Fery 6-3, 6-3, 7-5<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1d ago<\/p>\n Bencic beaten 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 by Putintseva<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1d ago<\/p>\n Andreeva defeats Tjen 6-2, 6-2<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1d ago<\/p>\n Rybakina beats Frodin 6-3, 6-2<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1d ago<\/p>\n Fritz defeats Blanch 6-3, 6-2, 6-4<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1d ago<\/p>\n Cobolli beats Comesana 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1d ago<\/p>\n Madison Keys (22) beats Alina Korneeva 7-5 6-4<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2d ago<\/p>\n Order of play – day session<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2d ago<\/p>\n Preamble<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Musetti\u2019s timing was perfect, because the rain has now stopped play on the other courts, with Badosa having blazed her way through the first set 6-1 against Kasatkina, and the boom or bust Jelena Ostapenko 4-3 down on serve in the opener against the German veteran Tatjana Maria. Iva Jovic, Alex de Minaur and Rafael Jodar haven\u2019t even started their day matches yet, and neither have Britain\u2019s Jan Choinski and Fran Jones, and it\u2019s uncertain now if they\u2019ll play today.<\/p>\n Coco Gauff and Gael Monfils, in the final grand slam of his career on his 40th birthday, will get going in the night session shortly though, under the roofs on Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong, with Alexander Zverev and Alexandra Eala to follow, as Eala mania hits New York. It\u2019s time to wrap up this blog now, but do check back later for our match reports. And I\u2019ll be back again tomorrow. Bye!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.02 EDT<\/p>\n Musetti defeats Fery 6-3, 6-3, 7-5<\/p>\n With the grey clouds looming, both literally and also figuratively for Fery, Musetti, looking far more composed than he did when serving at 5-4, skips to 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, 40-15, and the 13th seed secures the win with an unreturned serve. Fery\u2019s first US Open campaign ends in the first round, and alas, there\u2019ll be no repeat of his Wimbledon wonderland. \u201cI stuck to the game plan, I\u2019m really happy after missing the past two grand slams [through injury],\u201d says a beaming Musetti, who\u2019ll play the Australian wild card Dane Sweeny next. And Musetti\u2019s still smiling, even when he\u2019s asked why Italy couldn\u2019t qualify for the World Cup.<\/p>\n Lorenzo Musetti celebrates \u2026 Photograph: Amber Searls\/ImagnImages\/ReutersWhilst Arthur Fery looks dejected. Photograph: Amber Searls\/ImagnImages\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.55 EDT<\/p>\n Fery fails to make the most of his reprieve though, as a double fault and errant volley of his own hands Musetti two break points, and there\u2019s a very relieved \u201cCOME ON!!!\u201d from the Italian when Fery slices long. And Fery receives a code violation for going all sweary. Musetti will serve, once again, for the match, at 6-3, 6-3, 6-5.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.13 EDT<\/p>\n There are a few drops of rain as Musetti steps up to serve for a place in round two, just to add to the drama. Which increases even more when Fery flies to 0-30. And then 15-40, when Musetti tamely double faults! And Musetti misses his backhand volley! That was messy from the Italian, whose mind was perhaps already halfway back in the locker room. It\u2019s 6-3, 6-3, 5-5.<\/p>\n No roof means that Arthur Fery (top) and Lorenzo Musetti are at the mercy of the weather. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.14 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cThis is his first US Open, Fery\u2019s still going to learn and grow with every week on tour,\u201d says a glass-half-full Laura Robson, as Musetti moves closer to the finish line, leading 6-3, 6-3, 5-3. It leaves Fery serving to stay in the match and, despite prevailing in an energy-sapping second point, he slides 30-40 down when he biffs a backhand into the net. So it\u2019s match point \u2026 Fery\u2019s first serve is WELL long \u2026 he lands his second \u2026 charges to the net \u2026 and it\u2019s enough to put off Musetti, who errs for once on his backhand! And Fery rips through the next two points to hold!<\/p>\n Arthur Fery stretches for a backhand at the net. Photograph: Amber Searls\/ImagnImages\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.36 EDT<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Musetti holds for 2-2 and is back to his best as he breaks Fery for 3-2, the British No 1 blazing wide on game point. Whether it\u2019s the miles on the clock from reaching the Winston-Salem Open final, or the oppressive, humid conditions, or the class of Musetti, or the lack of experience on the overseas grand slam stage (or perhaps it\u2019s all four), Fery doesn\u2019t have the energy and belief that he had during that run to the Wimbledon semi-finals, and when Musetti backs up the break for 6-3, 6-3, 4-2, Fery\u2019s race appears to be nearly run.<\/p>\n Lorenzo Musetti slaps a backhand return to Arthur Fery. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.33 EDT<\/p>\n Daria Kasatkina and Paula Badosa are in the opening game of their match, in the meeting of the former world No 8 and former world No 2. Kasatkina, now at 61 after surprisingly suffering a slump in form having switched her allegiance from Russia to Australia last year, and Badosa, at 87 after a terrible time with injuries, have only five match wins between them at slams this year, but on their day can do some damage in this draw.<\/p>\n Paula Badosa prepares to play a backhand return to Daria Kasatkina. Photograph: Seth Wenig\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.34 EDT<\/p>\n Well look here! Maybe Fery did give himself a strong talking to in the mirror, because he claims his first break, to 30, with some controlled, measured aggression, and now the English fans think they\u2019re at the World Cup because they\u2019re singing Wonderwall. Fery responds to the serenading by promptly falling 15-40 down on serve, and while he saves the first break point, a backhand bullet whistles just wide on the second, and they\u2019re back on serve, with Musetti leading 6-3, 6-3, 1-2.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Both Fery and Musetti have taken themselves off court between sets, and Fery could do with a 2012 US Open final Murray-style pep talk in the locker room, if he\u2019s to believe he can turn this around. Does Henman think Fery can do it? Erm no. \u201cI look at the match-up here,\u201d says Henman, \u201cand Musetti has emphasised his class. He\u2019s able to soak up the firepower from Fery and he\u2019s getting the free points on serve, which gives him an edge in his service games, while Fery is having to work very hard in his. When you look at the form and experience at this level Musetti is looking very, very comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Bencic beaten 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 by Putintseva<\/p>\n Belinda Bencic, the 12th seed and the Tokyo 2021 champ, is out, losing in three sets to Kazakhstan\u2019s Yulia Putintseva, who\u2019ll face another Olympic champion, Zheng Qinwen, next.<\/p>\n Yulia Putintseva batters a backhand during her victory over Belinda Bencic. Photograph: Seth Wenig\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.56 EDT<\/p>\n Fery holds to reduce his arrears to 6-3, 5-3, but Fery \u2013 usually so speedy around the court \u2013 looks off the pace as Musetti serves out the second set to love. Musetti leads 6-3, 6-3 and it\u2019s a very long way back for the British No 1 from here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A first glimmer for Fery, at 15-40 on Musetti\u2019s serve, but the 13th seed saves the first break point with yes, you\u2019ve guessed it, another backhand beauty down the line, and Fery fires a return long on the second. From deuce, Fery gets himself another couple of break points, but he can\u2019t take advantage, and the frustration is really starting to show when Musetti holds for 6-3, 5-2. So are there any positives? \u201cNot a great deal,\u201d says Tim Henman on the Sky commentary. \u201cI think perhaps last week [Fery\u2019s run to the Winston-Salem Open final] is catching up with him.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.44 EDT<\/p>\n Maria Sakkari, however, has just dug her way out of an even deeper hole, coming from 6-2, 4-0 down to defeat the American qualifier Robin Montgomery 6-2 in the third set. Francisco Cerundolo and Dane Sweeny have also put a W by their names, Sweeny advancing when Corentin Moutet retired in the third set, and the Australian awaits the winner of Musetti v Fery.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Fery holds for 2-2. But even a tweener from Fery can\u2019t halt the inspired Italian on serve as Musetti swats it away with a forehand volley on the stretch, before holding to love. \u201cLet\u2019s go Fery,\u201d shouts a fan, with hope more than conviction. And Musetti then flashes his backhand wand with a winner down the line on break point and Fery finds himself a set and a break down, at 6-3, 4-2.<\/p>\n Arthur Fery dinks a shot over the net as he attempts to get back into the game against Lorenzo Musetti. Photograph: Amber Searls\/ImagnImages\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.38 EDT<\/p>\n Fancy some match highlights? Sure you do.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Fery looks rather rattled as Musetti moves effortlessly through the opening game of the second set, helped by a messy forehand miss from Fery, but the Brit does, at least, hold for 1-1, which stops the run of five games against him. He can\u2019t make any inroads on Musetti\u2019s serve, however, and in the blink of an eye he\u2019s serving once more. He trails 6-3, 2-1.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n After those two double faults from Fery in game seven, here\u2019s another potentially costly double as he serves to stay in the opening set at 3-5, and it hands Musetti his first set point at 30-40. Fery saves it with a gutsy drop shot, but Musetti makes no mistake from deuce, lasering a one-hander down the line, before Fery flashes long on the second SP. Fery trails 6-3 and he\u2019s nowhere near the heights he hit during his Wimbledon odyssey.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Andreeva defeats Tjen 6-2, 6-2<\/p>\n Andreeva, after seeing the first two match points come and go, finishes things off with an emphatic smash. The Russian puffs out her cheeks in relief, having seen off Tjen with more ease than she did when they met in Cincinnati two weeks ago. The French Open champion is up and running, as she looks to go deep in New York for the first time, with the third round last year the 19-year-old\u2019s best showing so far. \u201cShe\u2019s not an easy opponent to play against. I was just trying to be very aggressive, go for my shots, and I felt that today was a better match,\u201d Andreeva says.<\/p>\n Mirra Andreeva serves to Janice Tjen during her straight sets victory. Photograph: Yuki Iwamura\/APAndreeva celebrates her victory. Photograph: Geoff Burke\/ImagnImages\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.15 EDT<\/p>\n After a jeopardy-free 64 minutes, Andreeva is serving for a place in round two, at 6-2, 5-2 against Tjen. Back-to-back aces bring up three match points at 40-0 \u2026 just as b2b double faults from Fery gift Musetti a break for 4-3. Ach. Fery had been looking so assured up until then. The ear plugs are back in, as Fery reflects on his stumble.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Fery, at the changeover, drowns out the Grandstand noise by sticking some ear plugs in, before Musetti draws level at 2-2. At least Fery\u2019s not on Court 17, the \u201chash court\u201d, where Bencic, having come so close to smelling victory rather than weed at 6-4, 4-4, has been taken to a decider by Putintseva.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Fery opens with a no-fuss hold and Musetti replies with one of his own, before channelling the spirit of the now departed Stan Wawrinka (whose grand slam career came to an end yesterday) with a beautiful one-handed backhand down the line. But it\u2019s not enough to knock Fery out of his serving groove, and the British No 1 holds for 2-1.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A quick whizz around the grounds: Andreeva has taken the first set, 6-2, against Tjen; Belinda Bencic leads Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 4-4; Francisco Cerundolo is 6-4, 6-3 up on Filip Misolic; Cerundolo\u2019s brother Juan Manuel is just starting against France\u2019s Arthur Gea; Dane Sweeny is a set up, 7-6, against the fiery Frenchman Corentin Moutet; and Sweeny\u2019s fellow Australian Tristan Schoolkate is locked at one set all with the American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy.<\/p>\n Mirra Andreeva returns the ball to Janice Tjen. Photograph: Yuki Iwamura\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.14 EDT<\/p>\n Having just missed out on a seeding, Fery has a challenging first-round draw today, against the Italian 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti, a former French Open and Wimbledon semi-finalist, who remains a class act despite an injury-disrupted season. These two, both aged 24, know each other from their junior days, after which their careers took different trajectories, partly because of the bone bruising problems that Fery had for a couple of years but now seem to be resolved. If both play near their best, this could be a cracker.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Rybakina\u2019s win means Arthur Fery\u2019s name has just been announced on Grandstand, and you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking this was Wimbledon rather than the US Open, given the welcome he gets from the crowd. It was at Wimbledon, of course, that Fery\u2019s career changed overnight, and after that improbable run to the semi-finals, he returns to the grand slam stage as the new British No 1, despite this being his US Open main draw debut. He comes in with form on the hard courts too, having reached the first ATP Tour final of his career at the Winston-Salem Open last weekend.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just happy to be here,\u201d says a red-cheeked Rybakina amid today\u2019s oppressive humidity. \u201cWe\u2019ll see how I\u2019m going to feel tomorrow because I had to take a break [after her injury in Cincinnati]. But for now it feels OK. I\u2019m definitely motivated [to get to world No 1], I had chances before but it didn\u2019t go my way. Of course it will be an amazing achievement but it\u2019s still too far. I need to focus on my recovery and just keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Rybakina beats Frodin 6-3, 6-2<\/p>\n And it is only one more game, because Rybakina, at 40-30, has match point No 4 and, determined not to be outdone by Frodin\u2019s flurry of aces, she rounds things off with one of her own. The world No 2 \u2013 who could become the world No 1 for the first time this fortnight (she\u2019s guaranteed the top ranking if she reaches the semi-finals) \u2013 will be relieved to come through so comfortably after her injury last week. For Frodin \u2013 much like Blanch against Fritz \u2013 it\u2019s a tough introduction to the big time, but with her big serve and forehand she\u2019s one to watch in the future for sure.<\/p>\n Thea Frodin has got a powerful serve on her. Photograph: Angela Weiss\/AFP\/Getty ImagesAlas it wasn\u2019t enough to overcome Elena Rybakina, who won their first-round encounter 6-3, 6-2. Photograph: Angela Weiss\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.55 EDT<\/p>\n Rybakina has two match points at 6-3, 5-1, 15-40 on Frodin\u2019s serve. It\u2019s absolutely clutch from Frodin, as the 17-year-old smacks down not one but two aces! Rybakina gets a third MP at her advantage \u2026 cue another ace from Frodin! Wow. A wry smile from Frodin, who looks as if even she can\u2019t quite believe what she\u2019s doing. And for the first time in this match, she holds! She lives to fight another game.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n At least Rybakina is doing her best to help De Minaur out, as she breaks again for 6-3, 4-1 \u2013 before fending off two break points to hold for 5-1. Mirra Andreeva, meanwhile, is under way on Louis Armstrong after Cobolli\u2019s comeback, with the French Open champion taking on Indonesia\u2019s Janice Tjen. Andreeva hasn\u2019t exactly been pulling up any trees since winning her first slam in June, so it\u2019ll be interesting to see if she can re-enter the conversation here. It\u2019s currently 1-1 in the opening set.<\/p>\n Elena Rybakina serves the ball to Thea Frodin. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.19 EDT<\/p>\n Fritz\u2019s victory means the day session on Arthur Ashe is already over \u2013 even though the matches on the outside courts only got going less than an hour ago. It\u2019s strange that the organisers haven\u2019t moved another match on to Ashe \u2013 Alex de Minaur v Andrea Guerrieri would have been a good pick given that he\u2019s scheduled fourth on Grandstand, after Rybakina, Arthur Fery and Iva Jovic, so he could be rivalling Venus Williams for the latest start in US Open history. Her first-round match didn\u2019t begin until 12.13am on day one.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.53 EDT<\/p>\n There were question marks over Rybakina\u2019s fitness coming into the tournament, after the Australian Open champion was forced to retire during last week\u2019s Cincinnati quarter-final against Iga Swiatek because of a freak injury. She has strapping around her left heel today, but doesn\u2019t seem at all impeded \u2013 even though a rare blip on serve allows Frodin to advance to 0-30, before Rybakina restores order with the next four points. It\u2019s 6-3, 3-1.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n As for Rybakina, she\u2019s in lockdown mode, having hit only four unforced errors, on her way to a 6-3, 2-0 lead over the 17-year-old American Thea Frodin who, at 585, is ranked 583 places below the Australian Open champion and is making not only her grand slam but also her WTA Tour debut. Frodin received a wild card into the main draw after winning the USTA Billie Jean King Girls\u2019 18s National Championships, but perhaps her biggest claim to fame so far is being Serena Williams\u2019s tennis-playing body double in the 2021 film King Richard.<\/p>\n Thea Frodin returns the ball to Elena Rybakina on her grand slam, and WTA Tour, debut. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.47 EDT<\/p>\n Fritz defeats Blanch 6-3, 6-2, 6-4<\/p>\n There\u2019s no time to dwell on Cobolli\u2019s victory though, because Fritz has two match points at 6-3, 6-2, 5-3, 40-15. The 2024 runner-up settles things \u2013 appropriately given his smooth serving performance \u2013 with an unreturned serve, and it\u2019s been a harsh learning experience for the 18-year-old Blanch. \u201cIt\u2019s hard playing another American,\u201d Fritz says on court, rather sportingly, given it didn\u2019t look that way. Cobolli is a potential fourth-round opponent, by the way, as Fritz attempts to become the first American man to win the US Open singles since 2003.<\/p>\n Taylor Fritz flings a forehand during his straight sets victory over Darwin Blanch. Photograph: Jeenah Moon\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.38 EDT<\/p>\n Cobolli beats Comesana 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4<\/p>\n Cobolli, serving for the match, decides he\u2019s not yet had enough of this wild ride, and he slumps 15-40 down. Comesana sends a tired shot into the net on the first break point, and can\u2019t capitalise on the second either. And from deuce, Cobolli clobbers an unreturned forehand down the line to bring up match point, and he completes the comeback with a serve-volley combo! He sinks to his knees as if he\u2019s won the whole tournament, and for the first time in his career he\u2019s won from two sets to love down. He was a break down in the decider too. For a player who can sometimes lose his fight when things aren\u2019t going his way, perhaps this could be a coming of age for the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n Flavio Cobolli is understandably pleased with his hard fought 5 set victory over Francisco Comesana. Photograph: Geoff Burke\/ImagnImages\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.41 EDT<\/p>\n Fritz is flying to the finish line, meanwhile, leading 6-3, 6-2, 5-3, with Blanch serving at 0-15.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Now it\u2019s Cobolli\u2019s turn to soak in the applause as he ups the ante with an absolute rocket to advance to 0-30 on Comesana\u2019s serve, having held for 4-4. And soon it\u2019s 15-40 \u2013 take one of these break points and Cobolli will be serving for the match, having been two sets to love down. Comesana sends Cobolli one way and then the other, but Cobolli is charging around the court as if this is the first set rather than the fifth, and the point is there for the taking as he unwinds on the forehand side \u2026 but he miscues! But Cobolli\u2019s return is too hot for Comesana to handle on the second break point! It\u2019s been anything but straightforward, but the fifth seed will now serve for a place in round two.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks Daniel. I\u2019m the bearer of good news, because the rain has finally stopped and play has started away from the two main courts, four hours later than planned. Among the not-so-early runners and riders are Elena Rybakina (2) v Thea Frodin, Belinda Bencic (12) v Yulia Putintseva, Francisco Cerundolo (24) v Filip Misolic and Dane Sweeny v Corentin Moutet. And Comesana raises his arms into the air as he finally holds in that tortuous game for 4-3 in the decider. At four hours and one minute, this is only a few minutes shy of the longest match of Comesana\u2019s career.<\/p>\n