Jessica Pegula, the world number three, eased past Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the U.S. Open on Sunday, marking her return to the Arthur Ashe Stadium as the top seed in the women’s draw. The 32-year-old American, who holds the highest ranking among both men’s and women’s players in the final Grand Slam of the year, admitted she struggled with nerves throughout the match. Despite breaking Ruse twice in each set, the result was not as straightforward as the scoreboard suggested. Pegula faced a break point in the first set and managed to save it, though she converted only two of her 14 break points. In the second set, she was more efficient, converting two of four opportunities. Her nerves were evident, particularly in the first set, where she missed key chances. The match concluded with a decisive forehand winner from Pegula, which sealed the victory after Ruse failed to respond to two powerful serves. Pegula, who is chasing her first Grand Slam title, has come close before, finishing as runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka at the 2024 U.S. Open. She lost to the Belarusian in the semifinals last year. With the first round now spanning three days, Pegula expressed relief at securing a confidence-boosting win. She joked about having a few days off while others “freaked out,” indicating her satisfaction with the outcome. The win comes ahead of her potential quarterfinal clash with Venus Williams, who faces Sofia Kenin in a wildcard match. Williams, a two-time U.S. Open champion, has not won a singles match in 14 attempts since her last title in 2008. The winner of that match will meet Pegula in the second round. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, the four-time U.S. Open champion, suffered a shock defeat in the opening round, losing 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a five-set match that lasted four hours and 36 minutes. This marked Djokovic’s first loss in the first round of the U.S. Open in two decades and the longest opening match of his career. The 39-year-old Serbian, seeded fourth, struggled with physical ailments and mental fatigue throughout the match. He made 70 unforced errors and was visibly affected by back and shoulder pain, requiring medical timeouts. Djokovic, who previously held the record for the most Grand Slam titles with 24, was seen vomiting midway through the match and showing signs of discomfort, such as cramping and difficulty serving. His performance was inconsistent, as he led 3-0 and 4-1 in the first two sets before losing them. The match ended shortly before midnight, raising questions about whether this might be Djokovic’s final Grand Slam appearance. Navone, a 25-year-old Argentine, emerged victorious despite facing challenges of his own. He defeated Djokovic in a hard-fought battle, ending the Serb’s hopes of extending his legacy. Navone, who recently claimed his first ATP singles title, displayed resilience and composure under pressure. His victory over Djokovic, a historic moment, highlights the growing competitiveness of younger players in the sport. Djokovic’s defeat marks a turning point in his career, especially considering his recent struggles with injuries and form. The loss leaves fans wondering how the 20-time Grand Slam champion will recover from this setback. Other notable results included former champion Daniil Medvedev, seeded seventh, defeating France’s Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. The tournament also saw the withdrawal of 2014 winner Marin Cilic due to injury, as well as 2022 finalist Casper Ruud, who opted for mixed doubles instead of singles. Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, ranked 88th, stunned two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 victory. Three-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini, returning from a foot injury, beat Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko staged a remarkable comeback against Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, overcoming a set deficit and enduring multiple medical breaks due to a right leg injury. Iatcenko’s victory, which lasted three hours and 27 minutes, showcased her determination and resilience.
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