Par Orlando Vinson
Posted 3 hours ago, Updated 2 hours ago
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The French have started their adventure at Flushing Meadows well with 7 victories. Among the favourites, Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff ensure that Iva Jovic has made history at home.
The Blues are doing well
With a positive record, the French men and women have passed a first hurdle before meeting several big names in the next round. But some have fallen through the cracks, like Varvara Gracheva who could do nothing against the defending champion, the American Coco Gauff (6-2, 6-0). A similar scenario awaited Clara Burel against Sloane Stephens when she was trailing 6-0, 3-0. However, the Rennes player did not give up and she signed an unexpected comeback by offering herself a prestigious victory (0-6, 7-5, 7-5). Of the 13 French players in the running, seven have passed the first round (Gaël Monfils, Clara Burel, Ugo Humbert, Arthur Rinderknech, Arthur Cazaux, Diane Parry and Alexandre Müller). But the task will be difficult in the 2nd round with Casper Ruud for Monfils, Brandon Nakashima facing Cazaux and Alexander Zverev for Muller. But also Andrey Rublev against Cazaux or Victoria Azarenka facing Burel.
The number of the evening: 2
“La Monf” like Roger. 2 like the number of players who have won at least one match in the 4 Grand Slam tournaments during a season after celebrating their 37th birthday. A list composed of Roger Federer and Gaël Monfils after his victory against Diego Schwartzman, yesterday (6-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1).
Also read US Open: French No. 1 Ugo Humbert qualifies for the 2nd round
L’info
A small surprise in New York, the Dane Holger Rune (15th in the world) was soundly beaten by the American Brandon Nakashima (50th) 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. The fall of the former protégé of Patrick Mouratoglou continues after this defeat. The Dane has not played a single final on the circuit since last January and a defeat against Grigor Dimitrov in Brisbane. Far from his best level, despite a return to form in Cincinnati (semi-final), the 21-year-old tennis player lost his bearings on court no. 17 by only passing 39% of first serves and committing 5 double faults. In the other results of the evening, the outsiders and the favorites ensured, like Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Grigor Dimitrov or Frances Tiafoe.
The statement
“Thank you very much for your support all these years. I played here for the first time in 2014 and had my greatest success on this court in the strange 2020 edition, in very different conditions”said Austrian Dominic Thiem, before continuing: “It was an incredible moment, but at the same time a little sad. So I’m very happy to have had the chance to play my last match of the US Open today on this court and in front of you.”concluded the winner of the 2020 edition. Facing Ben Shelton, the right-hander suffered the law of the American by losing 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 (1 hour 50 minutes of play). A final defeat in a Grand Slam for the 31-year-old player who bows out after two finals at Roland-Garros and a victory in the Masters 1000 at Indian Wells.
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The surprise
Iva Jovic follows in the footsteps of Coco Gauff and Madison Keys. The Los Angeles native (16 years old) became the 9th American player to win a match at the US Open before celebrating her 17th birthday. The young prodigy was impressive against the Polish Magda Linette (42nd in the world) by producing fewer waste than her opponent (15 unforced errors against 29). But it will be difficult to go after the record of her compatriot Tracy Austin, youngest winner at Flushing Meadows at 16 and 270 days in 1979.
The shock to follow
Starting at 5 p.m., the first clash of the day will pit Latvian Jelena Ostapenko (world number 10) against Japanese Naomi Osaka, double winner at Flushing Meadows (2018 and 2020). Several French players will also make their debut in the main draw, such as Caroline Garcia, Jessika Ponchet, Adrian Mannarino, Quentin Halys, Corentin Moutet, Arthur Fils, Hugo Gaston and Constant Lestienne.
