U.S. Open 2025: Sabalenka, Djokovic Advance

World No. 1 Sabalenka, who is seeking to become the first female to win the U.S. Open twice in a row since Serena Williams’ hat-trick of victories in 2014, had to put in a lot of effort to defeat Rebeka Masarova 7-5, 6-1.

Sunday, August 24, 2025, saw Aryna Sabalenka begin the defense of her U.S. Open championship with a victory, while Novak Djokovic successfully began his most recent attempt to win a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.

World No. 1 Sabalenka, who is seeking to become the first female to win the U.S. Open twice in a row since Serena Williams’ hat-trick of victories in 2014, had to put in a lot of effort to defeat Rebeka Masarova of Switzerland 7-5, 6-1.

Masarova, who is now ranked 108th in the world, bravely took Sabalenka out of her comfort zone on the Arthur Ashe Stadium showcourt at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

“I’m glad to have won and to be in the second round. Sabalenka, who will play unseeded Russian Polina Kudermetova in the second round, stated, “I feel like I didn’t start my best in the first games, but then I found my rhythm.”

Sabalenka made a safe progress, but Clara Tauson, the 14th seed from Denmark, lost to Alexandra Eala.

Eala, 20, overcame a 5-1 deficit in the final set to advance, winning an exciting 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13/11) victory to become the first player from the Philippines to win a Grand Slam singles match.

Eala remarked, “I’m really happy with what I accomplished today, especially coming back in the third.”

“For me, it’s a very special victory.”

Another Southeast Asian woman, Janice Tjen of Indonesia, also had an upset victory, defeating Russian 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to advance.

Tjen, the first Indonesian to advance to the main draw of a Grand Slam singles tournament since 2004’s Angelique Widjaja, said, “I feel proud to be able to do this for my country.”

In the second round, Tjen, who is currently ranked 149th in the world, will take on Emma Raducanu of Britain.

Djokovic was off-target.

Raducanu, who became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows in 2021, defeated Japan’s Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2 to win her first US Open match since that historic victory.

“I really wanted to win a match here,” Raducanu remarked.

“It’s been four years, and I find this tournament to be really special.”

All eyes were on the seasoned Serbian star Djokovic during Sunday’s night session on Ashe because men’s defending champion Jannik Sinner and opponent Carlos Alcaraz didn’t start his first-round campaigns until Monday, August 25, 2025, and Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

The 38-year-old defeated his unseeded 19-year-old American opponent Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2, displaying moments of genius.

After Tien gained confidence, Djokovic had to save a set point in the second set after he had dominated the first.

After a long medical break to address what seemed to be a blister on his right foot, Djokovic recovered and won in 2 hours and 25 minutes.

It’s wonderful to be back in New York, Djokovic remarked. “I wish I were Learner Tien’s age because it’s important to learn how to save energy for the important things when you reach your late 30s.

He addressed the audience, “You guys give me the energy, and I still have the flair and drive.” “Hopefully, I can maintain it.”

Ben Shelton, the sixth seed, and Taylor Fritz, the fourth seed, cruised into the second round.

Fritz, a Wimbledon semifinalist last month and last year’s defeated finalist, defeated unseeded countryman Emilio Nava 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.

Shelton easily defeated Ignacio Buse, a Peruvian qualifier, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Since Andy Roddick’s triumph at the 2003 US Open, Shelton and Fritz are leading the United States’ aspirations for their first Grand Slam men’s singles championship.

Shelton maintained that he was only considering the second round, where he would take against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain.

“You trip over your own feet as soon as you start looking ahead. Thus, he advised, “just one game at a time.”

Spanish 18th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina easily defeated Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko 6-1, 6-1, 6-2, while Czech 16th seed Jakub Mensik defeated Nicolas Jarry of Chile 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-4.

Australia’s Rinky Hijikata was defeated 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 by Luciano Darderi, the 32nd seed from Italy.

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