Alexander Zverev has pending accounts with him US Open. Last year, in the pandemic season, the German reached his first Grand Slam final, but Dominic Thiem removed him from the title. And judging by its premiere in this edition of the tournament, Sascha seems extra-motivated to reverse that result. In the gunboat game of the day, Zverev showed Sam Querrey (whom he has always won) why he is the fittest player on the circuit (12 consecutive victories, along with the Olympic gold medalist and the Cincinnati Masters) with a great performance in which, among other things, He only gave up 13 points with the serve: 6-4, 7-5 and 6-2 in one hour and 40 minutes of play.
Patience was the recipe Zverev used on his way to victory. In a duel of servers like this, the German knew that He had to impose his best game from the back of the court as soon as Querrey gave the slightest option. And so he did. With 4-4 in the first set, Sascha he got the break at his first opportunity and immediately did not forgive with the serve. In the second round he used the same formula: break after 5-5 and serve to seal. The emotional blow for the American was too much and that allowed Zverev to fly in a third heat without history. In the second round, the fourth seed in New York He will face the Spanish Albert Ramos, who defeated a fratricidal match against the French Lucas Pouille after lifting two match balls: 6-1, 5-7, 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 in three hours and 44 minutes.
Hurkacz sweeps
Hubert hurkacz He couldn't start with a better feeling at this US Open. The Polish, after settling this year in the noble zone of the ATP ranking, keep showing that American tournaments are great for him. So much so that the three titles that appear in his record come from the United States: Winston-Salem, Delray Beach and his first Masters 1,000 conquered in Miami this year. This Tuesday, Hurkacz (13th) he swept the Belarusian Gerasimov (6-3, 6-4 and 6-3), against whom he signed a tremendous balance of 38 winners and only 12 unforced errors. In the second round Seppi awaits him, who surprised Fucsovics.
Convincing premiere of Shapovalov
Denis Shapovalov (7th favorite) passed over a player as fierce and uncomfortable as Federico Delbonis, that after a great start to the course, the season is long. The Canadian won by 6-2, 6-2 and 6-3 at 1:49 with 90% of points won with first serves and 14 aces. In this way, he did not grant a break option to the Argentine, with whom he had never faced, at all in encounter. Shapovalov will face Carballés.
Berrettini's hard-working victory
Matteo Berrettini, finalist in the last edition of Wimbledon and semifinalist two years ago in New York, had to work hard to overcome the French veteran Jeremy Chardy (34 years), whom he beat by knockdown and after putting his nerves to the test in two tiebreakers: 7-6 (5), 7-6 (7) and 6-3 at 2:31. Good test for the start of the Italian, one of the aspirants to make it difficult for Djokovic at the top of the table. Notably, Berrettini only made 14 unforced errors. He will face another Frenchman, Moutet.
Monfils enthuses
Gael Monfils is overflowing with happiness. He recently married Elina Svitolina and has regained his good feelings on the tennis courts. This Tuesday, the semifinalist in 2016 and three times quarterfinalist in the tournament won comfortably Argentine Federico Coria (6-3, 6-2 and 6-2 in 1:34), 30th win in New York. Monfils tripled his opponent in winners (29-8) and will face Johnson or Marterer in the second round.
Sinner beats Purcell again
Italian Jannik Sinner (13th) knew how to react after losing the third set of a match he had controlled against Australian Max Purcell, who he had already beaten once, at the 2020 Australian Open, and did it again for 6-4, 6-2, 4-6 and 6-2 at 2:33. Sinner dispatched 49 winners to get into New York's second round for the first time on the third try. Sinner, who says he wants to be a great player when I'm 23 or 24 (he's 20) he will meet the American Svajda.
Sonego and De Miñaur fail
Among the main seeds, in addition to Pablo Carreño, Lorenzo Sonego failed, who fell against the prognosis against the German Oscar Otte, who came from winning in the previous one to Zapata and won by 6-7 (8), 7-5, 7-6 (4) and 7-6 (1) in a very even game with many breaks. Sonego failed much more than his rival (60 unforced errors) and at times he did not manage his aggressiveness well. Otte will face the American Denis Kudla. Neither did Alex de Miñaur defend his status as favorite. The Australian had a difficult enemy in the American Taylor Fritz and fell 7-6 (4), 6-2, 1-6 and 6-4 in 3:02. Thus, the host country has 13 players in the second round of the men's draw, the highest number since 1994, when 15 qualified. Fritz will face fellow countryman Brooksby.
Results, table and schedules.