The Ukrainian qualifier Daria Snigur produced the performance of her career to upset the two-times grand slam winner Simona Halep, winning 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 in the first round of the US Open.
The 20-year-old Snigur showed poise beyond her years to break Halep in the opening game and again in the third as she capitalised on a mounting number of unforced errors from the Romanian.
Snigur’s form completely fell apart in the second set as Halep won it in 24 minutes at Louis Armstrong Stadium. But Halep, who won the Canadian Open earlier this month before pulling out of Cincinnati with an injury, failed to maintain that momentum.
The No 7 seed dropped her serve in the first and fifth games, before breaking Snigur in the eighth game to stay alive and fending off two match points in the next game. It looked like the pressure might tell but Snigur kept her nerve to seal victory before bursting into tears.
She then formed a heart shape with her hands around the Ukraine ribbon pinned to her shirt. “I’m very, very, very nervous but I tried to do my best,” she said, her voice shaking, in an on-court interview. “For Ukraine, for my family... I want to say, thank you all.” Reuters
Time to close this blog down, but we’ll be back very soon with live coverage of Serena Williams v Danko Kovinic. Thanks for joining us.
Harriet Dart speaks: “I’m in shock right now ... physically I don’t feel great, but somehow I got the win. I was really feeling it out there! I really went for it when I had my chances, and tried to be aggressive in the big moments – because she makes me run so much otherwise.
“It’s really hot, and really windy, the conditions kept changing. There’s so much strength and depth in women’s tennis, anyone can win matches.” Next up for her, it’s Hungary’s Dalma Galfi, who is ranked 91st in the world.
Harriet Dart beats Daria Kasatkina 7-6, 1-6, 6-3!
Dart battles back to deuce and produces two superb points to get over the line, securing the biggest win of her career. That was so impressive, particularly after twice falling behind in the decider.
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Harriet Dart breaks again, and will serve for the match. What a comeback this has been – but she slips 15-40 down here as Kasatkina finds some form again …
Dart breaks back after a lengthy deuce battle, and we are back on serve – is this going the distance? The Briton backs up with a hold this time, her volley catching the baseline to put her 4-3 up!
Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 champion, has made only a brief cameo in this year’s draw – he has retired at two sets down against France’s Corentin Moutet. On Louis Armstrong, Madison Keys leads Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska by a set and a break.
Daria Kasatkina breaks Dart again, edging 3-2 in front in this deciding set. Elsewhere, Dominic Thiem is hanging on in the third set against the No 12 seed, Pablo Carreño Busta, who still leads 2-0 in sets. Félix Auger-Aliassime had looked in control at 2-0 up against Switzerland’s Alex Ritschard, but has fallen behind in the third set.
*Dart 7-6, 1-6, 2-2 Kasatkina (*denotes next server)
Dart hits back in this ding-dong battle and breaks for 2-2.
That’s all from me today, but we’ll be posting updates here for the next while, and a new live blog for Serena Williams and much more will also be along shortly. Bye!
Qualifier Wu Yibing gave China reason to cheer when he became the first man from the country in 63 years to win a men’s grand slam match after he beat Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3 6-4 6-0 in the first round of the US Open on Monday. Wu, who came through three qualifying matches, beat the 31st seed Basilashvili to walk in the footsteps of Fu Chi Mei, who overcame Ron Barnes in five sets in the first round of the 1959 Wimbledon Championships.
The 22-year-old Wu has come into the US Open in a rich vein of form having won two ATP Challenger titles back-to-back while he has also seen a steep rise in the rankings, moving from 1,869 in March to a career-high 174 now. He was the world’s number one junior and no stranger to winning at Flushing Meadows after clinching the boys’ singles and doubles titles in 2017 to become the first Chinese male to win a Grand Slam title of any kind.
But it has not been plain sailing for the Chinese prodigy, however, as he did not play from March 2019 to January 2022 due to injuries to his elbow - which required surgery - back, shoulder and wrist. “I don’t really like to talk about those injuries in too (much) detail because every player has injuries,” Wu had told the ATP website. “The mental strength that you have to go through the pain is part of the game.” Reuters
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Dart 7-6, 1-6, 1-2 *Kasatkina (*denotes next server)
Dart saves a break point – and manages to hold in gutsy fashion.
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If you missed it: Tumaini Carayol here, on Emma Raducanu’s unlikely but inspirational victory in 2021:
*Dart 7-6, 1-6, 0-2 Kasatkina (*denotes next server)
The Russian player has daylight on the scoreboard in the third set. She looks unmoved, emotionally, rather than trying to gee herself up, but she’s getting the job done at the moment.
Carreno Busta 7-6, 6-1, 1-3 Thiem
The Spaniard scored a dominant win in the second set but the Swiss is now a break up in the third. Looks like a very decent match could be boiling up there.
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Dart 7-6, 1-6, 0-1 *Kasatkina (*denotes next server)
Kasatkina races to 0-40 on Dart’s serve. Dart fires back for 30-40, but then hits wide, and that’s an inauspicious start to this third and final set for the British 26-year-old and world No 88.
Madison Keys (20) is 6-5 down and serving to stay in the first set against Dayana Yastremska on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Dart and Kasatkina have been off for a bathroom break, I think, but are now ready to go for the third and final set.
Dart 7-6, 1-6 Kasatkina
We are into a third and final set between the British player and the Russian, on a hot and breezy day in New York. Kasatkina in ranked No 9 in the world, and seeded 10, so this was highly unlikely to be easy at any stage.
Ons Jabeur (5) is 5-5 and 40-40 in her first set against Madison Brengle, the world No 61.
*Dart 7-6, 1-4 Kasatkina (*denotes next server)
Dart is, at least, on the board in the second set but Kasatkina remains firmly in control and on course to set up a deciding set.
Selected live scores from the men’s singles:
Carreno Busta 7-5, 5-1 Thiem
Ritschard 3-6, 3-3 Auger-Aliassime
Krajinovic 5-7, 2-6, 2-1 De Minaur
Khachanov 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 4-1 Kudla
*Dart 7-6, 0-3 Kasatkina (*denotes next server)
Having lost the first set, Kasatkina has switched it on in the second, and has powered into a 3-0 lead. Dart will serve to try and get on the board.
Carreno Busta 7-5, 3-0 Thiem
Having edged the very tight first set, the Spaniard and 12th seed, Carreno Busta, has stormed into a 3-0 lead in the second.
Harriet Dart wins the first set tie-breaker against Daria Kasatkina!
That was a helluva set, and a helluva tie-breaker. This would be Dart’s first ever win in the main draw at the US Open if she can pull it off. She survived two set points against her and eventually closed it out. Excellent stuff.
On court for Amazon Prime, Annabel Croft says it’s extremely windy and the conditions are tough for both players. She also says Kasatkina seems to be in a bad mood, which is a measure of how she is being put under pressure by Dart.
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Dart fractionally misses a forehand, at set point in the tie-break. Kasatkina fires back and earns a set point of her own. Dart, impressively, buries a forehand winner to the corner to drag it back to 8-8 in the tie-breaker.
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Harriet Dart, the British world No 88, is into a first-set tie-break with Daria Kasatkina, the 10th seed. And she leads it 3-1 at the moment … Will we see another shock in the women’s singles?
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Carreno Busta takes the first set v Thiem – 7-5!
Thiem coughed up 19 unforced errors in that opening set, Carreno Busta kept it to single figures, with nine.
Tumaini Carayol’s report from Andy Murray’s straight-sets win today:
The Spaniard, Carreno Busta, holds serve and Thiem will serve to set up a tie-break in the first set.
Over in the men’s singles, Pablo Carreno Busta and Dominic Thiem are locked at 5-5 in the first set, with Carreno Busta serving. They have a break of serve apiece.
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Coco Gauff beats Leolia Jeanjean! 6-2, 6-2
The 12th seed seals a regulation victory against Jeanjean of France. She’ll meet Elena-Gabriela Ruse or Daria Savile in round two.
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Big things were expected of Halep at this tournament, the seventh seed, but she’s going home. Could Snigur be this year’s Raducanu? Anything seems possible at the US Open these days.
Snigur will face Frech or Marino in the second round.
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Snigur, with her father up pictured in the crowd, holding his head in his hands, speaks: “I’m very happy. “No comment,” I think … it’s impossible for me [to put it into words] now. I want to thank Simona [for a good match], it’s a great experience for me … it’s impossible for me to beat Simona. Thank you to everyone who watched the match.
“I was very, very, very nervous but I tried to do my best.
“Of course this match for Ukraine, for my family, for all who have supported me. I want to say thank you. Slava Ukraini!”
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Snigur beats Halep! 6-2, 0-6, 6-4!
It’s 0-30 fairly quickly on the Snigur serve. She manages to wrestle it back to 15-30 despite sending her first serve well wide. A good, deep second serve – Halep hits fractionally long – and it’s 30-30 … and Snigur produces a fantastic pass to set up a third match point … and she does it! What a massive shock!
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Halep 2-6, 6-0, 4-5 *Snigur (*denotes next server)
At 0-30 it’s a gynormous chance for Snigur to close it out. She flops a backhand into the net. Another punishingly deep ground stroke, though, and it’s two match points for Snigur … Halep saves the first of them with a super combinatoin of wide serve and crushing cross-court winner to the opposite side.
At 30-40 the players settle into a reasonably long rally, and Snigur is first to blink, by dumping a forehand into the net. Halep closes it out with an ace and that’s three games in a row. She is not going down without a fight. That was a massive chance, again, for Snigur – but she can serve for the match!
*Halep 2-6, 6-0, 3-5 Snigur (*denotes next server)
At 15-15 Snigur pats an unconvincing forehand into the net. At 15-30 she does the same but on her backhand side … then hits a fine winner for 30-40. But when under a bit of pressure and with the finish line in sight, Snigur errs, sending a forehand long, and it’s 5-3. Perhaps it won’t matter – perhaps she can break Halep again?
Halep 2-6, 6-0, 2-5 *Snigur (*denotes next server)
Halep holds – but the 2019 Wimbldeon junior champion, Snigur, can serve for the match.
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*Halep 2-6, 6-0, 1-5 Snigur (*denotes next server)
Halep wins a break point, but pushes long. Snigur, who has a pleasingly free, seemingly casual style, saves it, and swiftly wins the game for 5-1. The Ukrainian is just a few points away from a huge victory, and her first win on the main tour at her debut grand slam appearance.
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Halep 2-6, 6-0, 1-4 *Snigur (*denotes next server)
Snigur sprints to 0-40 on Halep’s serve. She nets a high-risk forehand from outside the tramlines, then Halep finds one of her best forehands, down the line, for 30-40. But Snigur isn’t fazed, and her deep hitting on to the toes of her opponent continues to be a real menace for Halep. Snigur powers a fine forehand to the corner, follows in, and Halep is overpowered once more. It’s 4-1! Halep sits down for a drink, deep in thought, contemplating a shocking exit from the final grand slam of the 2022 season.
*Halep 2-6, 6-0, 1-3 Snigur (*denotes next server)
This would be Snigur’s first win on the main tour. Halep would be some scalp to take … Snigur now produces a wonderful cross-court winner on her forehand, angled into the corner where Halep has no hope of getting it back … and the Ukrainian holds serve, to go 3-1 up in the decisive set. Halep has to find something from somewhere.
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Gauff wins the first set v Jeanjean, 6-2. A promising start to the campaign for the No 12 seed.
Snigur hits back after the second-set bagel and goes 2-0 up in the third set against Halep.
Ruud beats Edmund! 6-3, 7-5, 6-2
The British 27-year-old is back in action after rehab from a persistent knee injury, and he competes well enough, but the fifth seed dismisses his challenge easily enough.
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Thanks Niall.
Andreescu beats Tan 6-0, 3-6, 6-1! Bianca Andreescu overcomes that second-set wobble to advance to the second round.
Elsewhere, Coco Gauff is a double-break up in the first set, and Halep has blasted through the second set, winning it 6-0. With that, time to hand back to Luke for the rest of this afternoon’s action …
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Coco Gauff is into her groove against Leolia Jeanjean, breaking early to lead 3-1. Halep has also found some rhythm, breaking Snigur early in the second set on her way to a 3-0 lead.
Bianca Andreescu won the first set 6-0, then lost the second to Harmony Tan – but normal service is resumed in the third, with the Canadian 5-1 up. Time is running out for Kyle Edmund, two sets down to Casper Ruud and 4-2 down in the third.
Snigur takes the first set 6-2! Halep gets a couple of lucky net cords at set point on her own serve, but she can do nothing to stop the qualifier serving out. The No 7 seed heads for a restroom break, and needs to get better quickly to avoid a shock exit here.
Coco Gauff is up next on Ashe, against French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean. On the Grandstand, Harmony Tan is chasing another upset – she has levelled at 1-1 against Bianca Andreescu, the champion in 2019.
Simona Halep couldn’t build on that break, immediately surrendering her serve again, and Snigur holds to move 5-1 up!
Daria Snigur continues her superb start, hitting freely to break Halep for a second time. A missed overhead volley gives Halep the chance to break back, though, and she cuts the gap to 3-1 in the first set.
Elsewhere, a cruel blow for Kyle Edmund, who is broken late in the second set with a tie-break looming. He now trails Casper Ruud by two sets and has a mountain to climb.
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Upset alert! JJ Wolf, the world No 87, has beaten the 16th seed, Roberto Bautista Agut, in straight sets out on Court Five. The American 20-year-old has made progress this year after injury problems, but this is easily the biggest win of his career.
Another less surprising home win to report, with Tommy Paul, the 29th seed, digging in to beat Bernabe Zapata Miralles in five sets.
Daria Snigur has made a flying start against Simona Halep, breaking with a clean winner and backing it up with a hold. The Ukrainian won the Wimbledon junior title in 2019, and is making her senior grand slam debut here.
Medvedev defeats Kozlov 6-2, 6-4, 6-0!
The No 1 seed gets the job done in two hours, pulling away from 4-4 in the second set to reel off the last eight games. He had some issues with his first serve and early unforced errors, but was never in any danger.
Let’s have a roam around the grounds at Flushing Meadows, starting at Arthur Ashe Stadium where Daniil Medvedev is cruising through his first-round encounter. The defending champion leads Stefan Kozlov 6-2, 6-4, 4-0.
On the grandstand, a match of two halves between Harmony Tan – conqueror of Serena at Wimbledon – and Bianca Andreescu, who won the first set 6-0 but is 3-0 down in the second.
Out on Court 12, Kyle Edmund is 3-6, 4-5 down to the No 5 seed, Casper Ruud. Back on Louis Armstrong, Simona Halep is about to get started against Ukraine’s Daria Snigur.
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Thanks, Luke. Here’s a bit more from Murray, who chatted courtside with Annabel Croft.
“Tough win, he’s had an excellent year. I thought I did pretty well, it was getting tough towards the end. My serve and backhand were good, I kept it off his forehand as much as I could.
“I did really well mentally,” he adds, clearly pleased to get through in three sets. “When it got tough, I returned really well, and managed to get through. If I can serve a little better, get a feel for the conditions – I hope I can be pretty dangerous!”
Having sealed the win Murray tells Amazon Prime that it means a lot to have Ivan Lendl, “a man of few words”, there to support him. He also thanks the crowd – “It’s usually pretty quiet for these 11am matches.”
Job done. He’s through. A fine display.
Now, over to my colleague Niall McVeigh, for the next little bit.
The players meet at the net. Murray has a friendly chat with his opponent, and is obviously telling him how impressed he was with Cerundolo’s show of sportsmanship in the first set, on that double bounce, when the TV replays clearly showed that it was Murray’s point, and Cerundolo conceded it. “I really appreciate that,” I think I heard Murray saying.
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Murray defeats Cerundolo! 7-5, 6-3, 6-3!
Murray races to 0-40 and three match points. The Argentinian saves the first two. But on second serve, on the third match point, Murray climbs into the return of serve, takes control of the rally, and Cerundolo hits long! Murray is through!
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*Cerundolo 5-7, 3-6, 3-5 Murray (*denotes next server)
Cerundolo is going to make Murray wait. Mark Petchey, on commentary, thinks the sun was getting in Murray’s eyes as he lost that game. Anyway, he failed to serve it out and the Argentinian, again, is showing some fight when it already appears to be too late.
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Cerundolo 5-7, 3-6, 2-5 *Murray (*denotes next server)
Ivan Lendl, Murray’s coach, is ashen-faced in the stands (as usual) but he must be pleased with what he’s seeing. Anyway, Cerundolo seals another service hold, despite Murray winning a couple of points. Murray, the world No 51, will now serve for the match and a straight-sets success.
*Cerundolo 5-7, 3-6, 1-5 Murray (*denotes next server)
More smart serving from the Scot. He looks out of breath, he looks tired, but he’s playing some tremendous stuff here. And he is one game away from a place in the second round of the 2022 US Open.
Cerundolo 5-7, 3-6, 1-4 *Murray (*denotes next server)
At 15-15 Murray mishits. Cerundolo soon returns the favour for 30-30. At deuce, Murray moves beautifully to work Cerundolo around the court to grab a break point. Cerundolo crushes a forehand winner into the corner to take it back to deuce.
Murray clips a lovely forehand down the line which sets up a volleyed winner. Cerundolo forces it back to parity but then hits long and it’s another break point for Murray … and the Argentinian hits long again and Murray is 4-1 up. He can see the finish line. It’s been an accomplished performance from the man who won the title here a decade ago. Can he round it off quickly?
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*Cerundolo 5-7, 3-6, 1-3 Murray (*denotes next server)
On Louis Armstrong Stadium, Murray holds for 3-1 in the third set. “He’d like to get that insurance break,” says Henman, as Murray prepares to return the Argentinian’s serve again.
Tim Henman, on commentary, is asked about the controversy over the women using different balls at the US Open: “It’s been the case for quite some time … it’s the players who struggle to control the ball who have made their opinions known, because it’s a faster ball.
“I think at times this Wilson ball that the women have used has been beneficial, it’s been a bit quicker …
“Rafael Nadal probably struggles to control this ball, in relation to the other slams.”
I’m not sure what his point is re: Nadal there. Of course it will be the case that different balls are used at different tournaments, and that is fine. But it’s only the US Open, as I understand it, where the women use a different, and lighter/faster ball. Why?
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Cerundolo 5-7, 3-6, 1-2 *Murray (*denotes next server)
Cerundolo gets the forehand going and gets on the board in the second set.
Elsewhere, the 2019 women’s singles champion, Bianca Andreescu, has emerged on to court for her match against Harmony Tan, who played that memorable first-round match against Serena Williams at Wimbledon.
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*Cerundolo 5-7, 3-6, 0-2 Murray (*denotes next server)
The serene progress for Murray continues. Rumours of his retirement were so greatly overstated back in 2019, and that cringeworthy moment at the Australian Open …
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In the women’s singles, Maria Sakkari (3) stormed to a 6-0 third set, and victory against Tatjana Maria (4-6, 6-3, 6-0).
Elsewhere, Caroline Garcia (17) beat Kamila Rahkimova 6-2, 6-4.
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Cerundolo 5-7, 3-6, 0-1 *Murray (*denotes next server)
Murray breaks to kick off the third set! We’ve actually just this minute hit two hours of this contest, and things could hardly be going better for Murray, the world No 51, right now.
Medvedev has won his first set v Kozlov, 6-2. Bautista-Agut is into a third set with JJ Wolf, having surprisingly lost the first two, both 6-4, against the world No 87. Jarry v Berrettini (13) and Edmund v Ruud are both under way, too.
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Murray wins the second set against Cerundolo! 5-7, 3-6
As we reach the two-hour mark, Murray creates two set points with a big serve down the middle … and another one, on the next point, buys him the initiative in the next rally, and Cerundolo smacks the ball wide to concede defeat in the second set. Murray is (as usual) trudging around the court between points, seemingly with the weight of the world on his shoulders, but he’s switching it on when it matters, and his range of shots and his tactical nous is proving too much for his opponent.
What he wants to avoid is staying out here for any longer than he needs to. Can he finish off a very handy straight-sets win?
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Cerundolo 5-7, 3-5 *Murray (*denotes next server)
After seemingly losing his way, both mentally and with his actual tennis, the 24-year-old Argentinian has shown impressive resilience. He forces Murray to serve for the set, for a second time.
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*Cerundolo 5-7, 2-5 Murray (*denotes next server)
A glimpse of light for Cerundolo after he forces 15-40 on the Murray serve. The Scot snatches at an attempted half-volley and it squirts wide. Cerundolo is, at the very least, going to make the scoreline more respectable in this second set. And his body language is better than it was a few minutes ago. Still, Murray should close out the set, but he will face Cerundolo’s serve now.
Cerundolo 5-7, 1-5 *Murray (*denotes next server)
Cerundolo clumps an ace down the middle to seal a service game and get on the board in the second set. But Murray can serve to close it out and move two sets ahead.
*Cerundolo 5-7, 0-5 Murray (*denotes next server)
One-way traffic at the moment. Seven straight games for Murray now. There may be 11 years between them but experience is trumping youth.
Cerundolo 5-7, 0-4 *Murray (*denotes next server)
This is cracking stuff from Murray. Ivan Lendl, his coach, has a quick chat from his seat in the stands after his player moves a double break up. Cerundolo has few answers to Murray’s all-round expertise at the moment. Murray treats himself to a passionate “Come on!” after creating what looks to be a decisive lead in the second set.
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In the women’s singles, Maria Sakkari (3) is into a third and final set against the German Tatjana Maria.
Maria 4-6, 6-3 Sakkari is the scoreline from the first two sets.
*Cerundolo 5-7, 0-3 Murray (*denotes next server)
A British flag waves as Murray hammers home his advantage and moves 3-0 ahead. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime cross to the practice courts where Emma Raducanu is hitting with Jessica Pegula, the player who defeated the Briton in Cincinnati.
Cerundolo 5-7, 0-2 *Murray (*denotes next server)
Good signs for Murray as he breaks his opponent fairly comfortably and is very much in the ascendancy right now. Cerundolo appears to be losing his composure and he is making plenty of unforced errors again, as he was early in the first set.
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Tumaini Carayol makes the case for video replays to be used following that controversy in the first set over the double bounce.
It makes absolutely zero sense that there are still no video replays in regular events. Umps can't see everything from that angle and these contentious points are rare but can come at important moments. It makes even less sense when it is shown on the big screen anyway...
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) August 29, 2022
*Cerundolo 5-7, 0-1 Murray (*denotes next server)
The veteran 35-year-old edges ahead in the second set. Has Cerundolo’s head dropped after that limp ending to the first set?
The defending champion Medvedev is under way v Kozlov, on Arthur Ashe Stadium, and it’s 1-1 and with serve in the first set.
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Murray wins the first set against Cerundolo, 5-7!
Murray seizes a big chance at 0-30 but then a wonderfully controlled backhand volley by Cerundolo, when Murray goes for his body with a powerful forehand, gets him on the board at 15-30. Soon it’s 30-30, but Cerundolo then goes on err on his forehand side again … and then he double faults, and hands the set to Murray!
That’s a nervy and disappointing way for Cerundolo to lose the set, but great hustle and defence from Murray. Annabel Croft is on court for Amazon Prime and mentions how hot and humid it is in New York. Murray won’t want to go to deep here, ideally, but it’s got all the makings of a classic Murray marathon.
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*Cerundolo 5-6 Murray (*denotes next server)
Murray races through a comfortable hold and Cerundolo must serve to earn himself a first-set tie-break.
Cerundolo 5-5 *Murray (*denotes next server)
A laudable moment of sportsmanship from Cerundolo after a thrilling rally ends with him smashing a winner and Murray good-naturedly appealing to the umpire over a double bounce that he thought he saw when the Argentinian chased down an angled drop, a couple of shots beforehand.
Cerundolo is initially awarded the point for 15-15, but replays on the big screen confirm that it was indeed a double bounce. Having seen those replays, I presume, Cerundolo tells the umpire to give the point to Murray. There is a thumbs up from the Scot and a big cheer from the audience at this admirable move from Cerundolo.
The 24-year-old seems to raise his game another notch after that, however, and he survives a fiendishly tight Hawkeye call, losing the point when Murray’s shot is called in, to take the game and achieve parity at 5-5.
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*Cerundolo 4-5 Murray (*denotes next server)
At 15-15 Murray butchers a volley, coming into the net and hitting wide, to hand his opponent the initiative in this potentially set-concluding game. On the next point Murray pats a forehand limply into the net and it’s two break points for the Argentinian. A fairly lengthy rally ends with Murray hitting a backhand wide and that’s a disappointing way, from Murray’s perspective, to hand a break back to his opponent. That’s eight out of the last 10 points for Cerundolo.
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Cerundolo 3-5 *Murray (*denotes next server)
At 15-30, Murray produces an unforced error to allow his opponent back to 30-30. Cerundolo moves 40-30 ahead but a sumptuous forehand winner whipped to the corner by Murray forces it back to deuce. However, Cerundolo smacks an ace down the middle for the game, after earning himself a game point, and Murray must serve for this first set.
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*Cerundolo 2-5 Murray (*denotes next server)
Murray holds serve comfortably to 15, and treats himself to a prolonged fist pump when he clinches it after an efficient effort in that game. “Murray is the one showing initiative, he’s the one coming forward. Cerundolo is more reactive,” the co-commentator Tim Henman says on Amazon Prime.
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Cerundolo 2-4 *Murray (*denotes next server)
When Murray hits wide, the Argentinian has a second service hold, and he retains a chance of getting back into this first set.
*Cerundolo 1-4 Murray (*denotes next server)
Solid, very solid from Murray, and the 2012 US Open champion creates more daylight between him and his 24-year-old opponent.
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Cerundolo 1-3 *Murray (*denotes next server)
Cerundolo’s plan is clearly to make Murray run. Murray is more than equal to it at this stage. He fashions two break points, and then seals the game by turning defence into attack yet again, soaking up a big forehand by his opponent, and creating the chance to stick away a volley to the corner and move 3-1 up. Impressive stuff from Murray who looks in good shape, despite that recent issue with cramp.
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Over on Court 17 in the women’s singles, Caroline Garcia (seeded 17) has raced into a 4-1 lead against Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia.
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*Cerundolo 1-2 Murray (*denotes next server)
At 15-15, Murray tucks away an excellent overhead volley, following an attempted drop shot/lob combo by Cerundolo. Murray’s opponent taps his own racket in approval. Murray closes out his first hold of serve with a big serve down the middle which Cerundolo makes contact with but can’t get back.
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Cerundolo 1-1 *Murray (*denotes next server)
Now it’s Murray’s turn to force deuce, and he wins break back point with a fine pass down the line after managing to defend a massive forehand by Cerundolo. Like his opponent, he converts his first break point, and we are all square in the first set.
*Cerundolo 1-0 Murray (*denotes next server)
All appears to be well for Murray at first, at 40-15 in his opening service game. But showing impressive hustle, and using his forehand to cause damage, the Argentinian forces deuce, and then takes the opening game at the first time of asking when Murray comes forward and hits an attempted volley long. An early break for the 24th seed.
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Jack Draper and Harriet Dart are other British players in action today.
Now, here we go on Louis Armstrong stadium, with Cerundolo v Murray. Cerundolo is seeded 24th.
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On Amazon Prime they are discussing Andy Murray’s toils with cramp in recent days. Rusedski reckons Murray’s pre-tournament haircut is aimed at keeping his head cooler and reducing the risk of cramping. That’s a new one on me.
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Arguably the biggest first-round clash of the lot, of course, is Serena Williams v the world No 80 Danka Kovinic, which is coming up at midnight UK time / 7pm EST.
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Medvedev, sporting a snazzy Lacoste tracksuit, is pictured doing some stretching in preparation for his meeting with Stefan Kozlov.
Other tracksuits are available.
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How far can Andy Murray go? And what are your hopes and expectations for Emma Raducanu’s tournament?
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“There’s a couple of guys on tour I’ll never cross the line with because my relationships are so good with them and Thanasi is one of them.”
Nick Kyrgios reflects on being drawn against his friend and doubles partner, Thanasi Kokkinakis, in the first round of the men’s singles:
As Serena Williams lined up all of her ducks in a row for what is likely to be the final tournament of her career at the US Open, one particular question has lingered for weeks – would she reunite with her sister, Venus, in one final doubles competition for a fitting departure?
On Saturday the answer came as the Williams sisters received a wildcard into the doubles draw.
Amazon Prime kick things off with a feature in which a New York taxi driver pretends to drop Emma Raducanu off at Flushing Meadows. And now we have some shots of the women’s singles final, and Raducanu’s sensational win against Leylah Fernandes.
On which note: Here is a look back, round-by-round, at Raducanu’s 10 matches on her way to the title last year:
Not long to wait. The Amazon Prime countdown has just ticked past the three-minute mark.
Meanwhile, in the women’s draw:
Preamble
Can Emma Raducanu do it again? Can Daniil Medvedev defend his men’s singles crown? The world No 1, Iga Swiatek, will have other plans for Raducanu’s US Open women’s singles title, while players in the class of Rafael Nadal have designs on the men’s side.
From a British perspective, Andy Murray’s first-round encounter with Francisco Cerundolo is the match of the day – scheduled to begin shortly, at 4pm UK time. Medvedev, the defending champion, is due on court at 5pm UK time against the American Stefan Kozlov. Kyle Edmund is also back in action after a long injury layoff, against Casper Ruud of Norway, in a match set for 5.15pm UK time.
In the women’s singles Coco Gauff is up at 7pm UK time, against the Frenchwoman Leiolia Jeanjean, while the seventh seed Simona Halep faces Daria Snigur of Ukraine from 6pm.
As is customary for the first week of any grand slam, the action is going to be relentless – starting with the seasoned campaigner and 2012 men’s singles champion Murray – in a few minutes. Let’s do this.
