Shelton, Zheng and Zverev Reach US Open Second Round
Monday’s opening day at the 2024 US Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows, New York featured American Ben Shelton ousting former winner Dominic Thiem in round one, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
Reaching the semifinals last year, Shelton used his world-class serve and power off the ground to diffuse his experienced opponent.
Thiem, who is playing in his last year on Tour, has seen his rankings drop significantly after having wrist surgery in 2021.
Buy US Open tickets here.
The Austrian has never been the same player since winning 2020 US Open. Thiem is currently ranked No. 210 in the world.
Shelton, who will need a big result during the fortnight to maintain his ranking, will next face Roberto Bautista Agut or Luca Nardi for a place in round three.
Elsewhere, former finalist Alexander Zverev advanced easily against countryman Maximillian Marterer 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2.
Zverev slammed 21 aces, won 79 percent of his first serve points and broke serve on six occasions.
The German will take on Alexandre Muller or Adam Walton in the next round.
Other results on the day saw No. 17 seed Ugo Humbert and Francisco Comesana reach the second round.
Defending men’s champion Novak Djokovic will be featured during the night session on Monday evening against Radu Albot.
Zheng Advances Over Anisamova
Olympic Gold Medal winner Qinwen Zheng survived a hard test during her first round at the US Open on Monday, defeating American Amanda Anisamova 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Zheng dismissed the National Bank Open runner up by hitting 12 aces, winning 73 percent of her first serve points and breaking serve on six occasions.
The Chinese star will next face Erika Andreeva for a place in round three.
Other winners on the day included No. 12 seed Daria Kasatkina, No. 24 seed Donna Vekic, No. 27 seed Elina Svitolina, Jule Niemeier and Diane Parry.
No. 9 seed Maria Sakkari was forced to retire against Yafan Wang after losing the first set 6-2.
Check back for daily updates from TennisConnected.com throughout the fortnight for your up-to-date schedules, reviews, draws and results.
Live Stream the US Open through our official page right here.