Gauff starts strong at US Open, Shelton ends Thiem’s Grand Slam career

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Coco Gauff (WTA No. 3), who won her first career Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open last year, defended her title in front of her home crowd and got off to a good start, dropping just two games against French player Varvara Gracheva (WTA No. 66) in the first round.

Gracheva, who moved to France from Russia last summer, won the first game of the tournament, but the 20-year-old American responded by winning three straight games. Gracheva then pulled away, but it was her last game win, as Gauff won the next nine games and secured a solid 6-2, 6-0 victory in the first round.

Gauff hit 10 aces and six double faults in the 1 hour and 7 minutes of the match, while her opponent hit no aces and four double faults. Gauff defended all five of her opponent’s break chances and converted half of the 10 break chances herself.

World No. 7 Zheng Qinwen and Amanda Anisimova (WTA No. 50) battled for 2 hours and 18 minutes in the first round, but the Chinese woman, who is seeking her first Grand Slam victory in her career, eventually won 4 games: 6, 6-4, 6-2.

Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina (WTA No. 28) advanced in the first round, but lost the first set to Argentine player Maria Lourdes Carle (WTA No. 83) 3:6. The Ukrainian player won the second set 6:3, and Svitolina won the final set 6:4.

Spanish player Paula Badosa (WTA No. 29) also started her match with a victory, defeating Swiss player Viktoria Golubic (WTA No. 73) pointlessly in the first set and winning the second set 6:3.

In the men’s competition, German Alexander Zverev (ATP No. 4) defeated compatriot Maximilian Martrell (ATP No. 100) in four sets 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2. Local player Ben Shelton (ATP No. 13) ended his Grand Slam career by defeating 30-year-old Austrian Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

Thiem’s only Grand Slam victory in his career came in 2020, when he just defeated Alexander Zverev in five sets in the US Open final. Unfortunately, Thiem was forced to end his successful career due to injury, and his wrist simply could no longer withstand top-level sports.

However, four years ago, the stands were empty during Thiem’s win due to the coronavirus. “This is actually a very important moment for me because the biggest victory of my career was on the court. 2020 was very strange and the circumstances were very different. Unfortunately, this victory came without (the fans), which is a wonderful moment, but on the other hand, very sad,” Thiem said.

“I am very happy to be able to play the US Open for the last time and spend time with you all. I want to thank you!” the Austrian said goodbye to the American audience.