Alex de Minaur, Australia’s top-ranked male tennis player, successfully kicked off his US Open journey with a straight-sets win against Italian qualifier Andrea Guerrieri. The match, marked by weather-related delays, saw de Minaur triumph with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, despite interruptions from a two-hour rain delay. With this victory under his belt, de Minaur is set to face Botic van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands in the next round.
De Minaur’s performance was characterized by his ability to break Guerrieri’s serve twice in each set, while only conceding his own serve once. The match’s completion in less than two hours of actual playing time was a testament to his efficiency on the court. The tournament schedule has been challenging due to relentless rain in New York, potentially requiring de Minaur to play three consecutive matches as he aims for a strong run in the tournament.
Meanwhile, in the women’s draw, Australian Maya Joint showcased a spirited performance despite her loss to ninth seed Elina Svitolina. Joint took a set from Svitolina, with the final scores reading 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-4. This makes Joint the first Australian woman to win a set against a top-10 opponent at this year’s tournament, highlighting her tenacity on the court.
Elsewhere, the competition proved tough for other Australian women players. Daria Kasatkina was ousted by Spain’s Paula Badosa, while Taylah Preston suffered a 6-1, 6-1 defeat at the hands of American Taylor Townsend. Additionally, Kim Birrell faced elimination after a match against Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, ending with scores of 6-1, 2-6, 6-3.