Alex de Minaur, ranked as Australia’s top male tennis player, kicked off his US Open journey with a decisive victory over Italian qualifier Andrea Guerrieri. The seventh-seeded player showcased his skills with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win. Despite challenges posed by a delayed start and a two-hour rain disruption, de Minaur managed to wrap up the match efficiently in under two hours of play. He now prepares to take on Botic van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands in the next round.
The match unfolded against the backdrop of a tight schedule due to persistent rain in New York, creating potential for de Minaur to face the daunting possibility of playing three matches within three days as he aims to advance further in the tournament. Demonstrating his prowess, de Minaur broke Guerrieri’s serve twice in each set and only lost his own serve once, maintaining control throughout the match.
In the women’s competition, Australian Maya Joint made headlines by becoming the first female player from her country to claim a set against a top-10 opponent at this year’s US Open. Despite her strong performance, Joint was eventually defeated by ninth-seeded Elina Svitolina in a tight contest that ended 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-4. Her achievement, however, marks a significant milestone for Australian women at the tournament.
Elsewhere, the tournament saw other Australians bow out of the competition. Daria Kasatkina was ousted by Spain’s Paula Badosa. Meanwhile, Taylah Preston faced a tough match against American Taylor Townsend, resulting in a 6-1, 6-1 defeat. Additionally, Kim Birrell’s campaign came to an end after losing to Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, with scores of 6-1, 2-6, 6-3.
