The first round of the 2022 US Open delivered more shock results on Tuesday.
Defending women’s singles champion Emma Raducanu was one of the day’s major casualties as the British player lost 6-3 6-3 to unseeded Frenchwoman Alize Cornet.
Neither player was at their best with Cornet double faulting eight times but Raducanu was unable to take advantage and had her serve broken seven times.
The 19-year-old has struggled in 2022 and was knocked out in the second round of the other Grand Slam events but is looking forward to having less pressure on her shoulders in 2023.
“Obviously really disappointing, really sad to leave here,” Raducanu said post-match.
“It’s probably my favourite tournament. But also, in a way happy because it’s a clean slate. I’m going to drop down the rankings. Climb my way back up. In a way, the target will be off my back slightly.
“I just have another chance to claw my way back up there.”
She gave us a historic run last summer.
See you soon, @EmmaRaducanu 👏 pic.twitter.com/xzMuLNghcl
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2022
The 2020 US Open champion, Naomi Osaka, was also sent packing in the first round on Tuesday after losing 7-6 (5) 6-3 to American Danielle Collins.
Unlike Raducanu, Osaka was the underdog in this match and despite earning more break points, wasn’t as clinical as 19th-seed Collins.
Osaka, who didn’t play at Wimbledon this year, was also knocked out in the first round of the French Open with 2022 set to be the first year since 2017 in which the Japanese star has failed to win a Grand Slam title.
Naomi always has time for the fans 💙
See you next year, champ. pic.twitter.com/R97NqEfKFh
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2022
In the men’s singles draw, Rafael Nadal dropped the first set against Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata before rallying to win the match in four sets.
After Stefanos Tsitsipas’ shock exit on Monday, no seeded men’s player was defeated on Tuesday.
Wednesday will see Serena Williams return to the court in what could be her final singles match, while defending men’s champion Daniil Medvedev will also be in action.
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