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FILE | Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning
Serbian seventh seed Novak Djokovic, chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and a fifth US Open crown, made light work of Learner Tien, beating the 19-year-old American 6-1 7-6(3) 6-2.
The 38-year-old next faces another American, Zachary Svajda.
American fourth seed Jessica Pegula, runner-up last year, swept aside Egypt’s Mayar Sherif 6-0 6-4.
Home hope Emma Navarro, the 10th seed, moved past China’s Wang Yafan 7-6(9) 6-3, while Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini advanced to the second round after beating Australian Destanee Aiava 6-2 7-6(4).
Three-times US Open runner-up Victoria Azarenka also made it to the second round as she knocked out American Hina Inoue 7-6(0) 6-4.
World number one and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka ground out a 7-5 6-1 victory over Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova to reach the second round.
Fourth seed Taylor Fritz eased past compatriot Emilio Nava 7-5 6-2 6-3 with minimal fuss in an all-American first-round clash.
Former semi-finalist and American sixth seed Ben Shelton beat Peru’s Ignacio Buse 6-3 6-2 6-4 to reach the second round.
Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu brushed aside Ena Shibahara 6-1 6-2. She will face next Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen, who beat the 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4 4-6 6-4.
Play began under partly cloudy skies in New York, with the temperature around 25 degrees Celcius.
