Top seed Iga Swiatek kicked off her US Open title defence with a demolition job over Rebecca Peterson, while eighth seed Maria Sakkari made an early exit.
The 22-year-old four-time Grand Slam champion dropped just eight points as she took the first set to love against Sweden’s Peterson.
Peterson did get on the board early in the second but Poland’s Swiatek completed a comprehensive 6-0 6-1 victory in just 58 minutes.
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Iga Swiatek says she wanted to play ‘solid’ and was ‘happy’ she could play a great game in her demolition of Rebecca Peterson
Swiatek said that her tank was “pretty empty” after losing in the Montreal and Cincinnati semi-finals earlier this month but showed no lack of vigour as she blazed through to a meeting with Daria Saville of Australia.
“I really wanted to play solid and start the tournament with everything I practised on,” she said.
“I’m happy to play such a great game and despite all the pressure and expectation I can still have fun on the court.”
Ideal start for eager Iga
Former British No 1 Tim Henman on Sky Sports: “You look at the nitty-gritty of this match, she [Swiatek] was just out there hitting winners at ease.
“We talked about early first-round nerves, but there didn’t look like there was any for her. She has just blitzed her way through that – it’s the ideal start.”
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Martina Navratilova feels Swiatek might be quick to doubt herself, but still gets the job done
There was an early upset on day one at Flushing Meadows with eighth seed Maria Sakkari from Greece bowing out 6-4 6-4 to Spanish world No 71 Rebeka Masarova.
For Sakkari, the early loss marked the final blow in a disappointing Grand Slam year for her as she followed a third-round appearance at the Australian Open with first-round exits at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Four-time US Open champion Martina Navratilova on Sky Sports: “Unfortunately, Maria needed an easier draw but she hasn’t had them in these majors. She’s seeded but she’s had some tough matches.
“She didn’t play badly but Masarova was more powerful and played slightly better. Sakkari could not take her chances when she had them in the first set while Masarova has nothing to lose, all the pressure was on Maria. She came up short again.”
Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia proved she was no pushover even when her back was up against a wall as she battled past 2017 champion Sloane Stephens with a 6-2 5-7 6-4 victory.
“I was expecting a big battle,” Haddad Maia said. “I knew that I had to work very hard and try to focus on my game.”
Kazakhstan’s fourth seed Elena Rybakina had no trouble overcoming Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 6-2 6-1.
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka downed Fiona Ferro of France 6-1 6-2 for her 15th first-round win at Flushing Meadows.
Azarenka is one of 10 mums in the draw and a three-time finalist at the US Open, last reaching the final in 2020, where she was beaten by Naomi Osaka.
The US Open on Sky Sports: How and where to watch
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Watch the US Open live and exclusive on Sky Sports from August 28 to September 10. All courts will be available to watch for the first time
The US Open is back on Sky Sports with the promise to give fans live coverage of the Grand Slam like never before.
Sky welcomes tennis back to its channels this year with the US Open being one of the most prestigious Grand Slam tournaments, adding to the existing sports portfolio and reaffirming the broadcaster as the home of live sport in the UK & Ireland.
Sky Sports’ new mixed reality studio features multiple custom built LED screens, integrated light ‘sabres’, and an open canopy roof, making the space alive with colour and energy to reflect the vibrancy of the last Grand Slam of the year.
With integrated AR capabilities, a versatile LED floor, and a ‘fourth wall’, the viewer will be transported to the Arthur Ashe Stadium in a 360-degree immersive environment. Our tennis experts will take the viewer into the eyes of the players for expert Hawkeye analysis and insight as the tournament progresses.
The technology involved allows us to add an entire new dimension and will bring customers closer to the action.
Highlights of matches will be available across Sky Sports TV and our social media platforms.
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From Novak Djokovic to Iga Swiatek- it is time to meet the US Open champion contenders!
Video highlights will also be available of the Sky Sports website and app, where there will also be a daily live text commentary on the Sky Sports website and app, as well as live scores, reports, analysis and features. We ask the key questions ahead of this year’s tournament at Flushing Meadows…
Stream the US Open on Sky Sports with NOW for just £26 a month for 12 months. Cancel anytime.
