US Open 2025: Medvedev Suffers Shock Exit; Sabalenka, Djokovic Advance Amidst Upsets and Triumphs

Aryna Sabalenka successfully began her US Open title defence while Novak Djokovic advanced in his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title on Sunday. The opening day also saw 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev's dramatic exit, upsets by Southeast Asian players, and Emma Raducanu's return to winning form at Flushing Meadows. World number one Sabalenka defeated Switzerland's Rebeka Masarova 7-5, 6-1 in her opening match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Masarova, ranked 108th globally, challenged Sabalenka before ultimately falling short."Happy to get this win and happy to be in the second round. I feel like I didn't start my best in the first games, but then I found my rhythm," Sabalenka said.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The Philippines' Alexandra Eala made history by becoming her country's first player to win a Grand Slam singles match. She overcame Danish 14th seed Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13/11), fighting back from a 5-1 deficit in the final set.
"I'm super over the moon with what I was able to do today, especially coming back in the third. It's a very special win for me," Eala said.Indonesia's Janice Tjen continued the Southeast Asian success by defeating Russian 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4."I feel proud to be able to do this for my country," said Tjen, who became Indonesia's first Grand Slam singles main draw participant since Angelique Widjaja in 2004.Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, secured her first victory at the tournament since her historic triumph. She defeated Japan's Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2."I wanted to win a match here really bad. It's been four years and it's a very special tournament for me," Raducanu said.Djokovic, 38, displayed strong form in his night session match, defeating 19-year-old American Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2."I still have the flair, I still have the drive and you guys give me the energy. Hopefully I can keep it going," Djokovic told the crowd.The day concluded with French player Benjamin Bonzi's upset victory over 13th seed Daniil Medvedev. The match featured a contentious third-set delay when Medvedev protested a chair umpire's decision to allow Bonzi a first serve after a photographer disrupted play."It was crazy. The energy was wild. Thanks to all those who were booing, that gave me energy in the fifth," Bonzi said following his 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 0-6, 6-4 victory.American hopes remained strong as fourth seed Taylor Fritz defeated compatriot Emilio Nava 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.Sixth seed Ben Shelton also advanced, beating Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Both Fritz and Shelton represent America's chances to secure its first Grand Slam men's singles title since Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open victory.Sabalenka will face unseeded Russian Polina Kudermetova in the second round as she aims to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win consecutive US Open titles. Williams achieved this feat with three straight victories through 2014.The tournament continues with defending champion Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz scheduled to begin their campaigns in the following days.