Kate Boulter beats Carol Young Suh Lee 6-4, 4-6, 6-0
Boulter wins through to the second round after an impressive deciding set where she upped the tempo. Lee tried to hang in but was unable to keep up with Boulter’s aggression.
Lee 4-6, 6-4, 0-5 Boulter A booming backhand sees Boulter hold to 15 and move to one game from the second round.
Lee 4-6, 6-4, 0-4 Boulter The finish line is in sight for Boulter after a crushing forehand brings a game that lasted over 10 minutes to an end.
Lee 4-6, 6-4, 0-3 Boulter The Briton is playing much more aggressively in this set, frequently pushing Lee back. It brings three break points but the American is hanging in there. We’re on the fifth deuce.
Lee 4-6, 6-4, 0-3 Boulter An excellent second serve at 40-30, which Lee returns beyond the baseline, consolidates Boulter’s lead.
Lee 4-6, 6-4, 0-2 Boulter Lee faces two break points after a powerful Boulter forehand. She saves the first with her eighth ace but goes long during a rally in the next point. Boulter has bounced back after the disappointment of the second set.
Lee 4-6, 6-4, 0-1 Boulter The Briton holds to 15 at the start of the third set.
Lee 4-6, 6-4 Boulter The American levels. Lee has set point but Boulter’s aggressive return forces an error. Lee bounces back with an ace then Boulter can only return the next serve into the net. We’re going into a deciding set.
Lee 4-6, 5-3 Boulter The Briton is taken to deuce in a scrappy game and Lee takes advantage to move one game from winning the second set.
Lee 4-6, 4-3 Boulter: Lee holds to 30 to keep pushing for the deciding set. She definitely feels the stronger player, if only by a touch, at the moment.
That is me done for the night. Stephen Flynn is your man to take you through to the close. Enjoy!
Lee 4-6, 3-3 Boulter: Boulter still throwing in the odd double fault for her fifth of the match but Lee throws in an unforced error that the Briton punishes to level the second set.
Lee 4-6, 3-2 Boulter: Lee showcases some more guile with slice carving Boulter out wide and the American finishes the game off.
Lee 4-6, 2-2 Boulter: The American has the bit between her teeth taking on Boulter by forcing her to move as much as possible but a couple of cheap points help keep this on serve.
Lee 4-6, 2-1 Boulter: Boulter fails to convert a break point with an unforced error and makes another as Lee holds serve nicely with lots of changes of pace using her slice and slower serving.
Lee 4-6, 1-1 Boulter: Sloppy on serve to start though but Lee will be kicking herself as she gifts to points for 30-all. A double fault brings up deuce. And deuce again after they trade some big hitting. Lee finds a tasty angle to force a break point and takes it. Kicking herself no more.
Lee 4-6, 0-1 Boulter: The British no 1 is swinging freely again and has three break points in the blink of an eye. Boulter only needs one. Bosh.
Shout out to Jaume Munar who just beat Terence Atmane in five sets after going two down to start the match. The Spaniard won in 4 hours and 53 minutes 6-7, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6, 7-5. Never say die .
Lee 4-6 Boulter: A wild forehand from Boulter puts her in an early deficit and one in the net doubles the arrears. A big backhand finishes off a long rally, good composure from Boulter. An unforced error from Lee sets us at 30-all. Forehand miss number three of the game and Boulter is looking nervy until she sends a rocket down to save the break point.
Deuce. A backhand in the net brings another break point. Saved. Big serve out wide, set point. Lee stays patient and charges the net to take it back to deuce. Boulter finds her range with the forehand to bring up another set point but Lee latches on to the first serve and catches Boulter cold. Deuce. Bombs away, advantage Boulter. Lee charges forward again and saves again. Oooh forehand hits the tape from Boulter but Lee finds the net after a long rally. Deuce. Would you believe Boulter misses another forehand that was on a plate. Fourth try at a break for Lee. Massive serve down the T. Boulter finally gets over the line on her fourth try.
Lee 4-5 Boulter: Three misses from Boulter and Lee says thank you very much after a fourth which keeps the American in the set.
Lee 3-5 Boulter: Katie Boulter gets through another service game but Lee makes it tricky after fighting back from 40-0 down to deuce. 10 winners off the Boulter forehand in the match but two double faults in the game so not all smooth sailing.
Lee 3-4 Boulter: Lee has no answer for more punishing groundstrokes from Boulter who forces the game to deuce with a big crosscourt forehand. Break point but Lee saves with a strong forehand of her own and another puts the American on top with the advantage. Game.
Lee 2-4 Boulter: The British no 1 holds to love with some bully behaviour crushing the ball past Lee at every opportunity.
Lee 2-3 Boulter: Lee races out to a 40-0 lead with an ace and an unreturnable serve and stays ahead to close out the game from 40-30.
Lee 1-3 Boulter: The big hitting shows no signs of stopping. Lee staying in touch in that game but unfortunately mistimes a second serve return and sends it out to lost the game. Should probably have gone to deuce.
Lee 1-2 Boulter: Boulter is attacking the second serve of Lee but the American’s heavy spin is countering the dynamite coming her way. From deuce Lee struggles to contain a big forehand but saves the break point with a serve straight at Boulter’s head. A cheeky drop shot winner is followed up by a double fault to send it back to deuce.
Ace. Next Boulter batters a second serve and keeps her foot down. Deuce. Massive crosscourt forehand winner from Boulter gives the shot for a double break. Overcooks a forehand. Deuce. Wow. Boulter wins the battle of the big forehands, a 16-shot epic where neither were trying for any angle at all just smoking it down the middle. Another miss from Boulter. Deuce. Error from Lee. Fourth break point of the game and Boulter misses a crosscourt inside out forehand. Deuce. Two good firsts and Lee holds. Gritty.
Lee 0-2 Boulter: Lee stays in the rallies and Boulter goes too big on two points but the Briton forces an error to take it to 30-all. Boulter imposes herself to move into the net and finish the point for 40-30. Too much again sends it to deuce. Positive just not quite finding her range so far. Advantage Lee after another ball flies out the back. Deuce. Bang, bang. Game, Boulter.
Carol Lee to serve first against world No 62 Katie Boulter. The Briton makes early inroads with some power hitting an a lovely lob to set up two break points to start the match. A couple of tricky serves drags it back to deuce for Lee. Boulter crushes a weak second serve to make a third break point. Job done. 1-0 Boulter after a shank.
Pliskova break Wandewinkel again for a 4-0 in the final set. Meanwhile, Katie Boulte r is warming up on Court 5 now for her match against world no 140 Carol Young Suh Lee of America via the Northern Mariana Islands.
Where to now?! Well, former women’s world No 1 Karolina Pliskova is on court. One of those weird No 1s who hasnt’t won a grand slam. Top player though. The Czech leads Hanne Wandewinkel 6-2, 5-7, 3-0. Bit of work still to be done to make the second round, lets see how she goes.
Luca van Assche beats Cameron Norrie (29) 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-2, 6-3
Norrie sends what should have been an easy winner wildly long and that about sums his day up. Take nothing away from the Frenchman who wins his first main draw match at the US Open. Truly a breakout moment for the 22-year-old, stunningly consistent play and accurate serving.
Toby Samuel beats Tomas Mahac 6-2, 6-3, 6-2
And that is that. The world No 110 and British qualifier Toby Samuel beats Tomas Mahac with his second match point. He has been so impressive in beating a seasoned pro for the first main draw grand slam win of his career. Well played.
Samuel 6-2, 6-3, 5-2 Mahac: Samuel breaks again and is serving for the match!!!
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 2-6, 3-5 Van Assche: Norrie fluffs a drop shot at 40-15 up to put a bit of needless pressure on himself. Incredible rally from the pair who gets to deuce from 40-0 down. Danger for Norrie. The internal monologue will be cooking. But so is the backhand and he has the advantage. Deuce again though. The Van Assche forehand is too good. Norrie’s is too bad. Huge chance for the Frenchman with a break point. RELENTLESS hitting draws the error from Norrie. He is just everywhere on the court. Van Assche serving for the match.
Samuel 6-2, 6-3, 4-2 Mahac: The world No 110 survives a marathon service game to move two games from his first main draw singles win against a player who has made the US Open fourth round in both of the past two years. Keep going!
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 2-6, 3-4 Van Assche: The Frenchman gets his nose in front with an easy hold to stop the rot. Pressure back on Norrie to stay in the match.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 2-6, 3-3 Van Assche: Norrie keeps the pressure up with an impressive hold. The serve is looking better by the game for the veteran 29th seed. Can he break again?
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 2-6, 2-3 Van Assche: Did I say it was going one way? Erm, Norrie breaks back for 3-2. Egg on my face.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 2-6, 1-3 Van Assche: Big trouble for Cam as he is down 0-30. Shank. 0-40. He is struggling mightily behind is forehand. Game. Too easy for Van Assche. This is going one way.
Samuel 6-2, 6-3, 3-2 Mahac: Quick hold from Samuel is just what the doctor ordered. Then a stunning winner down the line on the Mahac serve puts him 30-0 up. A crosscourt passing shot sets up three break points. Here we GO! And Mahac sends a ball well wide. WOW! 2-0 down, 3-2 up …
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 2-6, 1-2 Van Assche: No inroads at all right now for Norrie on the Van Assche serve. The Frenchman finds the line with a forehand to take the game.
Samuel 6-2, 6-3, 1-2 Mahac: Samuel fires back with a break of his own just like that. Superb. Horrible error from Mahac to dump a short ball into the net with Samuel at sixes and sevens.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 2-6, 1-1 Van Assche: Good recovery from Norrie to level the fourth set with a strong service game of his own.
Samuel 6-2, 6-3, 0-2 Mahac: Samuel saves two break points but succumbs to the third. Was never going to go all his own way.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 2-6, 0-1 Van Assche: It is difficult to overstate how well Luca van Assche is playing right now. He escapes two of the most punishing rallies of the match with the plaudits for 30-0 after looking in trouble in both. He holds to love. What a start. This is a breakout moment for the 22-year-old if he knocks off the 29th seed.
Daniil Medvedev (7) beats Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4
The big Russian serves it out for a handy straight sets win to make the second round in the Big Apple. He dials up his 10th ace in the final game. Nostrovia!
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 2-6 Van Assche: The passing shots are in full flow from the Frenchman and so are more and more and more unforced errors from Norrie. Out again. Set over. 10 unforced errors from Norrie plays one from Van Assche in that frame. He is now one set from his first main draw win at Flushing Meadows.
Samuel 6-2, 6-3 Mahac: Samuel races into a 40-0 lead. C’mon now, you got this. Three chances for the second set. BOSH! The British qualifier leads two sets to love.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 2-5 Van Assche: Some of the hitting from Van Assche has been sensational. Norrie can’t compete right now. An easy hold for the Frenchman.
Samuel 6-2, 5-3 Mahac: Set-point Samuel! A shot at a massive lead for the British qualifier. Oooh deuce. Advantage Samuel now. Deuce again. Mahac holds after saving two set points.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 2-4 Van Assche: Norrie keeps the train on the tracks for now with a solid hold.
Samuel 6-2, 5-2 Mahac: Spot of bother for Samuel who faces deuce on his serve. He is up to the challenge though and holds. One away from a two-set lead.
Medvedev 6-4, 6-2, 4-2 Gaston: The Russian edges closer to the second round with a relatively comfortable service hold.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 1-4 Van Assche: Cracking response from Norrie though to go 30-0 up. Now or never Cammy boy. Van Assche is too good with a forehand down the line and a nasty body serve. 30-all. Norrie sends a backhand long after coming up far too short with a rally ball that Van Assche dispatches. Solid hold from a tricky spot.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 1-3 Van Assche: Oh, Cameron. More and more errors come as he slips to 15-40 on serve. One is saved after Van Assche’s lob is just, and I mean just, long. A double fault coughs up the break of serve. Ouch.
Samuel 6-2, 4-1 Mahac: Samuel is making light work of Mahac. This is only his third appearance at a grand slam after qualifying for the French Open and getting a wildcard at Wimbledon this year. Here’s hoping he romps home for a first main draw win.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 1-2 Van Assche: Norrie holds serve comfortably and looks relieved for his troubles. Great start on Van Assche’s serve for Norrie who puts away a volley for the early advantage. Oooo then he says shank you very much as a wild ball flies out of the court from Van Assche. 0-30. Too good from Van Assche who punishes the short return for 15-30. An unbelievable deep backhand in the corner from Norrie creates two break points. A bomb saves one and a sublime passing shot saves the other despite brilliantly patient work from Norrie. The Frenchman holds after Norrie blocks a return into the net.
Samuel 6-2 Mahac: Amazing start for Toby Samuel. He breaks Mahac again to take the first set in 25 minutes.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6, 0-1 Van Assche: The Frenchman is playing like a man possessed and somehow wins a point for 30-0 he had no business taking. An ace gives him three shots at the opening game of the third set. He takes the second of those. Important service game coming for Norrie.
Medvedev 6-4, 6-2, 2-0 Gaston: Medvedev holds a tricky deuce game.
Samuel 4-2 Mahac: The British qualifier breaks serve to take a healthy lead at the business end of the opening set.
Medvedev 6-4, 6-2, 1-0 Gaston: The Russian is all over Gaston like a cheap suit and creates three break points in the opening game of the third set. A brutal backhand converts at the second opportunity. This one could be over very quickly.
With these two having a quick break, British qualifier Toby Samuel is on court against Tomas Mahac of Czechia. It is on serve with Samuel 3-2 up in the first set.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-6 Van Assche: Van Assche’s speed is winning this set as he races to a drop shot and flips it past Norrie to set up a break point at 30-40. He whips a forehand winner past the advancing Norrie and levels the match. Perfect response by the Frenchman.
Medvedev 6-4, 6-2 Gaston: The Russian is on to a short ball like the clappers and puts it away for 15-0. Ace makes it 30-0. Ace, 40-0. Three set points. Easy chance missed and one saved for Gaston after some insanely good defence to stay in the rally three times. The Russian takes a two-set lead with a volley at Gaston that he can’t get out the way of. Suffocating hitting from Medvedev.
Medvedev 6-4, 5-2 Gaston: Gaston goes for the underarm first serve but hits the net. Embarrassing. He goes back to the usual artillery but that doesn’t work either and Gaston is broken again. He misses an improvised lob and the second set looks all-but over.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 2-5 Van Assche: Important hold for Norrie to stay in the second set. Van Assche takes over and is again 40-0 up in double quick time. Can he do it again? Nope, double fault. What a let down. He quickly gets back on track to hold again with a drop shot. Four service games and only one point conceded. Not bad.
Medvedev 6-4, 4-2 Gaston: Gaston sniffs a chance at 30-0 up on the Russian’s serve but Medvedev shuts him down to take it to 30-all with a leaping backhand. You know the one, the big leg kick and WHIP. A couple of nasty serves and he holds.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 1-4 Van Assche: The errors keep flowing from Norrie. He is swiftly 30-0 down but he can do nothing about a superb forehand winner from Van Assche. Big serve and that is three holds to love to start the second set for the Frenchman. Incroyable.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 1-3 Van Assche: Norrie struggling a touch with his unforced error count creeping to 21 as they lock horns at 30-all. Make that 23 as Van Assche is gifted a break of serve with two misses on easy balls
Medvedev 6-4, 3-2 Gaston: The Russian is on the charge but Gaston holds firm to make it 30-30 after a neat crosscourt forehand winner. Medvedev cooks up a crosscourt winner of his own off the backhand to create a break point. The Russian is too passive is beaten by a beautiful slice volley from Gaston. Deuce. Medvedev hits a huge forehand that catches the line to earn a break point. Gaston saves and serves it out.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 1-2 Van Assche: Van Assche endures a punishing rally with Norrie to emerge 30-0 up. These guys are really going at it from the baseline. A slight shank from the Frenchman creates a chance but Norrie misses out wide. Van Assche holds to love again after a cracking drop shot.
Medvedev 6-4, 3-1 Gaston: The seventh seed solidifies the break with a bomb into the corner. The return flies long.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 1-1 Van Assche: Norrie leathers a defensive lob to go 30-15 up and whips an evil slice serve out wide to then hold with ease.
Norrie 7-6 (6), 0-1 Van Assche: The Frenchman responds to the loss of the first set with a quick hold to love. Bang, bang.
Hello again, quality tie-break from Norrie, well played by the 29th seed.
Medvedev 6-4, 2-1 Gaston: The Russian has just broken serve to take complete control against Hugo Gaston.
Norrie 7-6 (8-6) Van Assche: Norrie takes the first set with a forehand down the line before Van Assche misses a backhand. That truly could have gone either way. Graham is back to take you through the rest of the evening’s action.
Norrie 6-6 (6-6) Van Assche: Van Assche with the double fault! That is unideal for him and Norrie now has two set points … he can’t do anything with either as his opponents hits a fantastic forehand to save the second set point.
Norrie 6-6 (3-3) Van Assche: An easy volley is flubbed by Norrie before he missed a forehand down the line but he rectifies his mistake with a forehand winner to make it all square in the decider.
Norrie 6-6 Van Assche: Huge error from Norrie with a backhand that hits the net … we go to a tie-break.
Norrie 6-5 Van Assche: Some great serving from Norrie before sealing the game with a couple groundstrokes from the baseline. He shouts ‘Allez’ to pump himself up.
Medvedev 4-4 Gaston: Medvedev gets to deuce after being 15-40 down with a crosscourt volley before forcing an error from Gaston to get to break point. A lucky shot clips the tape to give the former world No 1 the break.
Norrie 4-4 Van Assche: Big second break from Norrie after forcing an error and following it up with a fantastic forehand into the corner.
Norrie 3-4 Van Assche: Norrie starts the game poorly and is down 15-40 but manages to smash his way out of trouble and gets to deuce before hitting a backhand winner to hold.
Medvedev 1-2 Gaston: Gaston denies his opponent breakpoint with a backhand volley before coming from behind to hold.
Norrie 2-3 Van Assche: Really poor from Norrie as multiple errors in a row means he is down 0-40. A double fault from him seals the break for Van Assche.
Norrie holds with a nice forehand down the line before the first ace of the match to hold. Meanwhile it is Medvedev 1-1 Gaston, as the Russian getting on the board with a nice forehand.
Norrie responds and breaks back! The Briton finds his rhythm after some good volleys and forcing Van Assche to the net for two break points. Norrie 1-1 Van Assche.
Early break for Van Assche! Norrie with back-to-back mistakes including a long forehand means he faces break point in the first game. The Frenchman hits a strong return and Norrie’s backhand goes straight into the net, handing his opponent the opening game.
Hello, I am here for the next bit to cover Graham. Norrie has won the coin toss and decided to serve. Here we go!
Wong is on fire . He applies the pressure with a cheeky serve and volley to make it 30-0 but Paul fires back with a clean winner from the second serve return. 30-15. A huge serve gives Wong two shots at 6-5. Double fault, no! Second serve, Wong rolls in a dolly but Paul shanks! 6-5. Paul serving to stay in the opener.
Ooooh here we go then, Coleman Wong takes a 30-0 lead on the Paul serve. Make that 40-0, three break points. The qualifier levels it at 5-5 at the first time of asking. Shocker from Paul .
Meanwhile 29th seed Cameron Norrie is warming up.
Wong goes bombs away with a rapid hold of his own to love to make it 5-4. Paul serving for the first set.
An early double fault from Paul fails to faze the American who follows it up with three unreturnable serves . Paul holds for 5-3 after massive forehand down the line.
Coleman Wong toughs it out in a deuce game to stay in touch a break down. Paul to serve, 4-3 up.
A first taste of British intent will be on the way fairly shortly as Cameron Norrie’s match against Luca van Assche follows Donna Vekic v Talia Gibson. Vekic has just wrapped it up 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. C’mon, Cam!
Over to Tommy Paul we go at the Louis Armstrong. The American 20th seed is a break up and solidifies the advantage with a strong, easy hold to love. Paul leads Wong 4-2 in the opening set.
Jessica Pegula (3) beats Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2
Ruse’s serve has deserted her and Pegula pounces with a wonderful winner down the line then another cross court for 0-40 and three match points. Big serve saves one. Big serve saves two. Net and match to third seed Jessica Pegula. Brilliant performance to cruise into round two.
That was rapid . Pegula holds to love and Ruse is serving to stay in the match.
Jessica Pegula has a good shot at an important break at 30-15 up on the Ruse serve. The Romanian finds the net, two break points for the third seed. Double fault. Break. Pegula leads 4-2 and is sitting very prettily now.
More home hopes are out on court as 20th seed Tommy Paul is taking on Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong. The qualifier has a 2-1 lead on serve in the opening set.
The American is serving nicely with a quick 30-0 lead. She has won all eight points behind her first serve so far in the set. As soon as I write that she double faults. Ouch. Double ouch as Ruse turns defence into attack to make it 30-all. Pegula knocks off an easy volley and converts the game point to take a 3-2 lead in set two.
Pegula puts the pressure back on Ruse with a quick hold for 2-1. The Romanian responds with one of her own for 2-2.
Pegula is holding nothing back as she takes a 30-0 lead against the Ruse serve but the Romanian battles back to force a couple of game points after a nasty second serve out wide. Pegula responds with a crushing open stance backhand winner. That was a beauty. Pegula fluffs a good chance to create a break point then Ruse double faults. Deuce. Big serve, advantage Ruse. Deuce after another massive backhand from Pegula. Ruse holds serve after two bombs. 1-1 in the second set.
Early upset on the outside courts. Kamilla Rakhimova knocks out 27th seed Barbora Krejcikova 7-6 (4), 6-2.
She needed seven match points on serve but got there in the end after a dismal return from the Czech. Rough day for the struggling two-time slam champion with 40 unforced errors .
During that Jessica Pegula took the first set 6-3 on Arthur Ashe. Full steam ahead.
Jessica Pegula rattles off another service game against Elena-Gabriela Ruse for a 5-3 lead in the first set on Arthur Ashe.
Jasmine Paolini (19) beats Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
Paolini is just too good. She dismantles the Erjavec serve to take a 0-40 lead and wins it at the second time of asking. The Italian looked understandably rusty after a seven-week layoff (quarter-finals of Wimbledon) but gutted it out superbly. Forza!
Paolini dumps a backhand into the net for 15-30. Not what she wanted but a huge serve saves her bacon. 30-30. A lovely whipped forehand creates the match point. Here we go. Deuce. Break point. A weak drop shot gives Erjavec the advantage in the rally but can’t take the chance and Paolini makes no mistake to take it back to deuce. Just like that the Slovene has another break point with a devilishly deep return of serve. Cracking play from Erjavec seals the brea k after saving a match point. 5-4 to Paolini with Erjavec serving to stay in it.
Paolini has two break points for 5-3 in the decider and crushes a forehand to clinch it. The 19th seed is serving for the match !
Jessica Pegula is up 30-15 against serve and will be hoping to get the job done this time but is pegged back to 30-30. After fighting back to deuce she breaks at the first opportunity to take a commanding 3-2 lead in the opening set against Ruse.
Meanwhile after taking my eye of the ball, it is 3-2 to Rakhimova over Krejcikova against serve in their second set. The two-time grand slam champion and 27th seed is on the ropes .
Erjavec is fighting hard but Paolini rushes the net for 30-30. She throws in a serve/volley but it fails and Erjavec has the break point. Paolini defends magnificently and goes on the offensive to send it to deuce. A magic rally finishes off with a lob at the net from Erjavec after a beautiful drop volley brings Paolini into no mans land. The Italian sends a forehand long and Erjavec is back on serve at 4-3.
Pegula is in trouble and is break point down to Ruse. The Romanian shanks one out the back though, oops. The American serves it out for 2-2.
Jasmine Paolini is piling on the pressure at 4-1 up in the third at deuce on Erjavec’s serve but she nets to give up a game point. Erjavec expertly leaves a volley and the ball flies out the back to get up to 4-2 down with the Italian serving.
Pegula whiffs on two early break point chances against Ruse but the Romanian can’t convert either. We go back for a second deuce. Pegula is gift wrapped a third break point chance. No good. Deuce again. Fourth chance for Pegula after a weak forehand from Ruse into the net.
The American gets a look at a second serve … steps inside the baseline but the Romanian stands strong for deuce … again. Fifth try for Pegula. Another second serve. Error. Deuce. Sixth try. Deuce. Seventh break point. Second serve. Error. Deuce. Eighth BP. Second serve. Saved with incredible defence. Hats of to Ruse withstanding this intense pressure.
Game point, Ruse!!! Deuce. Game point again. This game is 15 minutes long now. C’mon Rusey! You got this. She does it!! Saves eight break points for a … 2-1 lead first-set lead. Oh, tennis. Never change.
Meanwhile Pegula might be quietly fuming.
Paolini is racing again and breaks for 4-1. No looking back now?
Paolini is back on top with a break of serve in set three to lead 3-1 over Erjavec.
Paolini v Erjavec: the decider is up and running. The Slovene holds to love to make it 1-1 in the third set. Paolini is refinding her rhythm though after the reset with a quick hold for 2-1 after an ace.
Third seed Jessica Pegula has started the day on Arthur Ashe against Elena-Gabriela Ruse. That is 1-1 in the first set after the home favo u rite Pegula holds serve.
Oh no, Rakhimova hits the deck on the opening point. She goes down but is unhurt. Unfortunately gives the mini-break up though and fights back to immediately take it back to 1-1 then 2-1 as Krejcikova hits her 11th unforced error on the forehand side. Huge chance for Rakhimova here. A double fault sends it to 2-2 in the breaker but goes 3-2 ahead after another overhit ball from the Czech. And another gives Rakhimova a vital 4-2 lead. A weak serve and a poor return give the Uzbek four set points. One saved after a failed drop shot. Two saved with a huge forehand. Kamila Rakhimova wins the first set 7-6 (4) at the third time of asking. Upset o’clock well halfway anyway.
16 winners for Krejcikova but also 19 errors.
Jasmine Paolini is huffing and puffing as she dumps a forehand into the net to lose the second set 3-6. Veronika Erjavec squares the match up and a decider is on the way.
Paolini is struggling mightily on serve on Armstrong as she gifts another way. Erjavec takes the 4-2 lead and motors quickly through for 5-2. A deciding set may likely be on the way.
No pressure for Krejcikova as she holds her own for a tie-break in the opener with Rakhimova.
Krejcikova deviates from her neutral power hitting position to stay in a rally and it saves a game point to send it to deuce at 5-5. She reverts to type though and misses a big ball to allow Rakhimova a crucial hold of serve. 6-5. Krejcikova serving to stay in the first set. Nail biter.
Paolini is in a hole at break point down after missing a chance for 2-2. The Italian sends down a second serve and misses the next ball with a wild forehand out wide. Erjavec takes control of the second frame 3-1. That is until she succumbs to Paolini’s power hitting to gift the break back at 3-2 with the Italian serving next.
Krejcikova goes big on a second serve at 15-15 as she is trying to stay in the set and it works perfectly. From there she stays patient on a moon ball and crushes a winner down the line. Two chances to get to 5-5 and she takes the first with another winner down the line.
Erjavec is fighting hard on Armstrong as she saves two break points and smashes an ace out wide to create a game point. The next serve is unreturnable. 2-1 to Erjavec. Nice.
Trouble for Rakhimova after a double fault puts her 30-15 down but a big serve gets her back level. Another horror error from Krejcikova sets up the game point but the Uzbek fails to convert. Pressure on at deuce. Another two unforced errors from the Czech takes the pressure off immediately. 5-4 Rakhimova .
Meanwhile Paolini drops serve for 1-1. What was that about all gas no brakes?
Paolini is all gas no brakes as she takes control with a break of serve to start the second set on Louis Armstrong. One way traffic.
Krejcikova levels it up against Rakhimova at 4-4 with an easy hold.
I am hearing in my earpiece that 19th seed Casper Ruud has withdrawn from the US Open through injury. The men’s draw continues to open up.
Krejcikova battles back quickly to set up two break points. Rakhimova goes ham on an attempted winner but just misses the line out wide. Back on serve at 4-3 to the Uzbek.
Paolini has just broken serve too and is serving for the set at 5-3. The 19th seed is just too good and is quickly 40-0 up after hitting her 10th winner. An ace seals the set 6-3 .
Paolini responds with an ace to put those wasted chances in the rearview. A couple of missed returns and the Italian is 4-3 up.
Krejcikova is in a hole at 30-15 down on serve but whips a huge forehand winner down the line to and follows it up with an unreturnable serve. A lazy error sends us to deuce and Rakhimova has a look at a break point after a horrible double fault. Krejcikova already has four in the match. That second serve looked was maybe two feet out the back of the box. Another second on the way. Aaaah it hits the tape but goes in. Another and Rakhimova breaks for 4-2 after the Czech smashes another out the back of the court.
Jasmine Paolini is hitting the ball so hard and Erjavec cannot stay in the rallies. Paolini cannot convert a break point though after catching the tape. The Italian quickly sets up another with a rocket that hits the line. Another error from Paolini sends it back to deuce. A brutal backhand creates a third break point but again Paolini hits the tape. A wry smile, another error and Erjavec stands strong for 3-3.
Rakhimova rolls through her service game to take a 3-2 lead over Krejcikova.
Krejcikova gets in a muddle after squandering a 40-0 lead on serve. Deuce. She fights back though. Wins the game with a lovely serve down the T. All square at 2-2.
Paolini delivers a dominant effort on serve to change ends at 3-2 up.
Over to Louis Armstrong and Erjavec defends superbly to set up two game points to level the first set at 2-2 against Paolini. The underdogs holding their own early doors.
The gameplan looks clear for Krejcikova. Max power . She is trying to hit Rakhimova clear off the court and it goes rather well as she gets the 30-15 lead against serve. Critical early point incoming and she nails the return to set up two break points. A big serve saves one and an error saves the other. Rakhimova gets a boost with the hold from deuce for 2-1. Nice serving under pressure.
A pair of big aces for Barbora Krejcikova kicks her off nicely for the easiest of holds and 1-1. Your move, Kamilla.
Meanwhile, Paolini and Erjavec have traded breaks of sevre for 1-1.
Barbora Krejcikova leads the head-to head 1-0 over Kamilla Rakhimova with a win at this very tournament in 2021. A third round 6-4, 6-2 stroll for the Czech.
And they are underway, Rakhimova takes a 30-0 lead but Krejcikova takes control with some heavy hitting to square it up. A shank after some moon ball antics hands the Uzbek the game point and she takes a 1-0 lead after the return is dumped into the net.
Barbora Krejcikova and Kamilla Rakhimova are on Court 17 as they take their picture at the net. They start rolling through some groundies as we are almost nearing the start of play. Serves now, come on, get going!
Jasmine Paolini is warming up on Louis Armstrong. Her opponent Veronika Erjavec is ranked 106 in the world but is enjoying a strong year getting up to a career high of 84 in May. The 26-year-old Slovene has only won one match at a slam and is featuring for the first time in the main draw at Flushing Meadows.
Meanwhile Paolini’s best result in New York is the fourth round in 2024, the same year she was a beaten finalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
More reading comes Novak Djokovic who is chasing down a 25th grand slam title at Flushing Meadows. The 39-year-old Serb, who is playing in the third match on Arthur Ashe tonight, is hungry to make a mark with the men’s draw wide open without Jannik Sinner in New York. Can he do it?
Related: Novak Djokovic feels ‘as best as I can be’ before tilt at 25th grand slam title in New York
If you missed it here is Tumaini Carayol’s preview of the tournament. He promises drama. Let’s go!
Related: Shaky Sabalenka and wide-open men’s draw set stage for US Open drama
Hi, hello and welcome to the last grand slam of the season. After the mixed doubles hors d’oeuvre, comes the two-week feast of singles for us to get stuck into. And I can’t wait, so what is on the menu today.
Jessica Pegula, Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic are the big names opening their US Open accounts while a handful of British hopes – Cam Norrie, Toby Samuel, Jacob Fearnley and Katie Boulter – also will be getting down to business in the next few hours. Nine Brits are in the main draw, the most since 1981, which is fantastic considering Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu are missing in action.
Our early focus will be on the women’s singles where 19th seed Jasmine Paolini faces Veronika Erjavec and 27th seed Barbora Krejcikova who meets Kamilla Rakhimova for a place in the second round. Two-time slam winner Krejcikova is in a bit of a slump having not won a match for over a month so will be keen for a hot start. Both matches begin at 4pm BST/11am local time.
I’ll do my utmost to keep across everything, of course, but drop me a line with big moments I’ll inevitably miss. Share your thoughts on what might happen and who might be crowned champion when the dust settles. Cheers to a cracking couple of weeks.
Boulter wins through to the second round after an impressive deciding set where she upped the tempo. Lee tried to hang in but was unable to keep up with Boulter’s aggression.
This report is published with credit to theguardian.com. Full available text from the wire is above. Read on theguardian.com →
Source: theguardian.com · Graham Searles, Stephen Flynn and Yara El-Shaboury . Published 30 Aug 2026, 11:47 pm.
