US Open Day 2: Rafael Nadal stutters; Swiatek, Alcaraz coast; Raducanu, Osaka crash out

Rafael Nadal made his long-awaited return to Flushing Meadows on Tuesday. The Spaniard, a four-time US Open champion, has not performed the ultimate Major of the yr since his 2019 triumph and this yr, he obtained his marketing campaign off to a profitable begin towards Australia’s Rinky Hijikata 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

The Spaniard got here out to the night time session on the Arthur Ashe Stadium in rusty style, as will be anticipated from the 36-year-old who has performed one match since withdrawing from the Wimbledon semifinal on account of an stomach harm. After a poor serving efficiency noticed him drop the primary set, the Spaniard reset to take the following three. His serve and forehand are each discovering their ft.

Up subsequent is a tough project towards Italy’s Fabio Fognini, the one participant to have defeated Nadal from two units down, doing so on the 2015 US Open itself. Fognini will not be the identical pressure he was a number of years in the past, however after getting previous Aslan Karatsev in 5, he could be excessive on confidence.

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, serves to Rinky Hijikata, of Australia, throughout the first spherical of the US Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Swiatek, Alcaraz win routinely

Following the shock defeat of Simona Halep on Monday, World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has change into the prime contender for the title in New York. And the Pole didn’t disappoint as she opened her marketing campaign with a stellar 6-3, 6-0 win over Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.

Swiatek didn’t have to be at her greatest to place up a dominant show, within the sort of outcome that she wants to have the ability to play herself into kind within the early rounds of the Open. The Pole went on a exceptional 37-match profitable streak again in the summertime however has gone 6-4 since. The title race in New York is opening up, and he or she must get into rhythm to have an opportunity. Next up: 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

Iga Swiatek, of Poland, reacts after defeating Jasmine Paolini, of Italy, throughout the first spherical of the US Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Elsewhere, teenage sensation and third seed Carlos Alcaraz obtained his US Open marketing campaign off to an amazing begin, navigating a tough project towards Argentina’s Sebastian Baez. Baez went toe to toe with Alcaraz for the primary two units, and the Spaniard needed to produce a few of his trademark spotlight reel-worthy moments to eke out the primary two units. 5-7, 5-7, 0-2 down, following which Baez pulled up with cramp and needed to retire.

The Spaniard proved himself on the massive stage at this occasion final yr, reaching the quarterfinal. He can be trying to go a number of steps additional this time round.

Former champion out on the first hurdle

Emma Raducanu, of Britain, serves to Alize Cornet, of France, throughout the first spherical of the US Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

2021 champion Emma Raducanu and 2020 champion Naomi Osaka each misplaced their first-round encounters after anticipation had constructed over their possibilities this yr. A yr in the past, Raducanu pulled off the largest fairytale run within the historical past of this sport, profitable the US Open from the primary spherical of qualifying. But since then, she has struggled with bodily points and the strain that has been on her whereas she has been on her first full yr on tour.

Despite an honest buildup, the Briton was blown away by France’s Alize Cornet 6-3, 6-3. The match was performed on Cornet’s racket, for essentially the most half, her selection allowed her to dictate the rhythm, and disrupt Raducanu from the baseline. Despite getting an early break within the second, Raducanu, who will now fall to World No. 80 no less than and might want to construct on tour another time, was no match.

During the late session on Arthur Ashe, Osaka was taken down by Australian Open finalist and massive hitter Danielle Collins 7-6, 6-3. Osaka was as soon as essentially the most dominant hardcourt participant on the tour, however ever since her break final yr, accidents and her subsequent low rating have created issues. The Japanese was handed a horrible first-round attract Collins, whose energy and suitability to New York’s fast circumstances proved to be an excessive amount of for Osaka.

The 24-year-old will now go a full season and not using a Grand Slam title for the primary time since 2017.

Other notable outcomes

– Alison van Uytvanck def. Venus Williams 6-1, 7-6
While Serena might take all of the high-profile adulation this week, older sister Venus may additionally be within the remaining few Majors of her profession, making her first-round loss a major one. Venus has struggled to place collectively outcomes on tour this yr, and the doubles alongside together with her sister could be the place she sees essentially the most success.

– Jannik Sinner def. Daniel Altmaier 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
Sinner was anticipated to be one of many younger gamers to take the mantle from the ‘Big 3’ however his outcomes have been obscure these days. The Italian actually struggled to get previous Altmaier, but when he stays match, he has gotten the sort of outcome that may simply jolt him into motion.

– Clara Burel def. Elena Rybakina 6-4, 6-4.
Rybakina has been vocal about how she has not been given sufficient credit score for profitable Wimbledon – particularly with out the rating privileges. A lowkey first-round exit, stuffed with unforced errors and dangerous decision-making, throughout the day session on Court 12 will add insult to harm.