Reigning champ Naomi Osaka extended her Grand Slam win streak to 16 matches on Monday at the US Open while Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas battled past Andy Murray in five sets. Osaka, looking for her third US Open crown in four years, crushed 87th-positioned Czech Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-1 at a pressed Arthur Ashe Stadium to book a second-round matchup with Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic. “It feels sort of insane to play before everybody once more,” Osaka said. “I feel truly great here. I’m simply happy I won.” Osaka beat Bouzkova in their just earlier gathering in the first round of the current year’s Australian Open en route to her fourth Grand Slam title.
The 23-year-old Japanese star could turn into the first consecutive US Open ladies’ hero since Serena Williams, out this year with a torn hamstring, won her third in succession in 2014.
Osaka’s significant success streak incorporates her latest US and Australian Open successes and a first-round succeed at the current year’s French Open prior to pulling out over emotional wellness issues.
Osaka, who lit the cauldron at the Tokyo Olympics, gave an Olympic pin to a little youngster in a similar setting where she won last year’s title when fans were prohibited because of COVID-19.
“It felt very forlorn for me,” she said. “So I’m very happy to see young children in the crowd and adults as well. The energy here is unparalleled.”
Osaka saved a break point in the 10th game on an assistance champ and caught the main set by breaking Bouzkova in the tenth game when the Czech got a strike.
In the subsequent set, Osaka broke for a 2-0 lead, then, at that point saved three break focuses with champs and held in an eight-minute third game en route to triumph quickly.
Tsitsipas outlived Britain’s Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, by 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 following four hours and 49 minutes in environmental elements more like an extreme second-week confrontation than a window ornament raiser for the fortnight.
“To have an electric air over here is something we’ve been sitting tight for,” Tsitsipas said.
Double cross Olympic top dog Murray, positioned 112th lost without precedent for 15 first-round US Open matches.
“It didn’t come simple,” Tsitsipas said. “Bunches of penances I needed to make on the court to get back.”
Tsitsipas, the current year’s French Open next in line, went on vacation before the last set, disappointing Murray, who gave up a break in the initial game. Postpone strategies brought a cold gathering at the net after the match.
“I possess zero energy for that stuff at all and I lost regard for him,” Murray said. “It’s garbage. Furthermore, he knows it, too.”
Tsitsipas, who plays Frenchman Adrian Mannarino next, said he adhered to ATP rules on breaks and clinical breaks, even as Murray scrutinized the length and timing.
“I’m carrying on honestly and adhering to what the ATP says is reasonable,” said Tsitsipas. “Then, at that point the rest is fine.”
In the second-set sudden death round, Murray slipped at the net and fell since his perspiration splashed shoes were wet and he didn’t have another pair. Murray passed up two set focuses and the 23-year-old Greek star won five of the following six focuses to get the set and level the match.
“The shoes got so wet that toward the finish of the set, I was slipping essentially and was losing balance,” Murray said. “That was my terrible. It was a significant second in the match.”
Murray broke in the second round of the third set and held out from that point, yet Tsitsipas took the last two sets to progress.
Group energy returns
Observers needed to show verification of immunization to join in yet they brouht energy back to Ashe.
“Playing without fans here was merciless,” 2017 US Open victor Sloane Stephens said. “Having these fans out and the energy, the air, it takes a great deal back to tennis.”
Double cross Grand Slam champion Simona Halep and Stephens each won to arrive at the second round.
