US Open 2018: Wins for Murray and Nadal; Halep ousted
The year's fourth and final Grand Slam- the US Open 2018 got off to a strong start at the Flushing Meadows. Majority of the big guns breathed easily to sail in to the 2nd round. Andy Murray enjoyed his victory on his comeback trail. Top seed Simona Halep lost as David Ferrer retired from the Slams. Here are the updates.
Murray wins 4-set duel on return
All eyes were on Murray as he played his first Grand Slam match after 411 days. The 31-year-old Scot beat Australia's James Duckworth in a 4-set duel. Murray, who went down 6-7 in the first set, came back to win the tie 6-7, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3. He is set to face 31st seed Fernando Verdasco next. Murray was elated and pumped up on return.
Rafa seals victory as Ferrer retires
Men's defending champion, Rafael Nadal progressed to the second round after Spaniard Ferrer retired with an injury. Ferrer also announced that he will not participate in Grand Slams in the future. Nadal was lead 6-3, 3-4 when Ferrer retired. Rafa praised his friend Ferrer post the match. Nadal stated that Ferrer is a good person and a friend and the tour will miss him.
Men's singles first round: Summary
Swiss wild-card Stan Wawrinka ousted Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. This was the 2nd successive Slam where Stan beat Dimitrov in the first round. 3rd seed Juan Martin del Potro beat Donald Young 6-0, 6-3, 6-4. Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson won a 5-set thriller 7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Ryan Harrison. There were victories for Raonic, John Isner and Dominic Thiem as well.
World number one Halep stunned on Day 1
World number one Simona Halep became the first top-seeded woman to bow out of the US Open in the first round itself. The French Open winner lost 2-6, 4-6 against Kaia Kanepi. This was also her second successive first round loss at the US Open. She opined that the busy New York isn't one of her favorite places to play tennis.
Women's singles first round: Summary
Defending champions Sloane Stephens began her journey with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Russia's Evgeniya Rodina. Veteran Venus Williams won her duel against Kuznetsova of Russia 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. Serena Williams started strongly to win her first round match 6-4, 6-0 against Magda Linette. Two-time Slam champion Garbine Muguruza beat China's Zhang 6-3 6-0. Victoria Azarenka beat Kuzmova 6-3, 7-5.
Who are in action on Day 2?
World number 2 Caroline Wozniacki starts her proceedings on Tuesday. She will face Samantha Stosur. Wimbledon 2018 winner Angelique Kerber is in action alongside Naomi Osaka and Maria Sharapova. In the men's section, world number 2 Roger Federer will open his campaign against Yoshihito Nishioka. Wimbledon champ Djokovic is also in action alongside Alexander Zverev and Marin Cilic.
