US Open 2025 Women’s Day 1

Holder Aryna Sabalenka eased into her opening match at the US Open, with the on-form top seed crushing Swiss Rebeka Masarova 7-5, 6-1 in 82 minutes to advance to the second round.

The world No. 1 who fell in the Cincinnati quarter-finals to Elena Rybakina, broke five times in the quick opening victory. But she also overcame an opening shock, dropping serve to trail 3-2 in the opening set.

The three-time Grand Slam winner quickly got the break back and held her concentration against the potential spoiler who once ranked 62nd.

It was the 52nd victory of the season for Sabalenka, who beat Jessica Pegula in the final a year ago; she now plays Polena Kudermetova..

Former champion Emma Raducanu earned her first win at the Open since her out-of-the-blue title run four years ago, with the Briton firing to a day 1 success over Japan’s Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2.

Emma Raducanu winning her first match at US Open since winning the title in 2021

“I’m very, very pleased to have won that match; it’s my first win here since 2021 so it’s extra special. 

“First rounds are always difficult, and especially so in Slam, you know, there are nerves. So, I’m just so happy with the way I came through that, and playing Ena, she’s really tricky.

The winner added: “She obviously came through qualifying, and you feel like you have a bit of an advantage having been playing on the surface – I know what that feels like. 

“I’m just very pleased with how I managed myself and managed my game through that match.”

The 62-minute rout got No, 35 Raducanu off to confident start at the final major of the season after her morale-boosting third-round showings this season at  the Australian Open and Wimbledon,

“I see the progress that I’m making on the practice court,” Raducanu said after the fastest Grand Slam victory of her career.

“It might not come straight away, but I know over time I’m just racking up good days building. I feel like it has to go somewhere.”

The 22-year-old Briton faced just one break point in the match; she started with a 5-0 lead and never looked back against the qualifier, who trailed 4-0 in the second set .

Raducanu will next play 149th-ranked qualifier Janice Tjen, who beat Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The Indonesian is the first from her Asian nation to play the main draw of a Grand Slam since 2004. 

Canadian Leylah Fernadez, who lost the 2021 Open final to Raducanu, reached the second round over compatriot Rebecca Marino 6-2, 6-1, another victory which took just over one hour.

Asia scored again later as Alexandra Eala of the Philippines defeated Dane Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (11).

The first Filipina to score a Grand Slam win trailed 5-1 in the third set and needed five match points to score her historic win.