The US Open is in full swing and the crowds at Flushing Meadows have already been treated to some thrilling action. Serena Williams started what could prove to be her final ever tournament with a dominant win over Danka Kovinic, while world number one Iga Swiatek breezed past Jasmine Paolini in straight sets. However, despite comfortable wins for a number of the worldâs top players, there were still numerous upsets in round one. Here are seven players who suffered surprise defeats in New York.
Emma Raducanu
As the defending champion in New York, all eyes were on the Brit heading into this tournament.
The teenager could not repeat her heroics from last year though ââ suffering a straight sets loss to Alize Cornet.
The defeat means Raducanu is likely to drop at least 80 places in the world rankings and may have to rely on wildcards to enter some WTA events moving forwards.Â
Naomi Osaka
Osaka is a four-time major winner and has twice been a champion in New York.
However, the Japanese star has struggled for form all year and drew a tough first round opponent in Danielle Collins.
In the end, the American triumphed in straight sets to set up a clash with Spainâs Cristina Bucsa.Â
Elena Rybakina
Having won Wimbledon only last month, expectations were high for Rybakina.
Yet, the 25th seed was comfortably beaten in straight sets by French star Clara Burel.
This is the first time Burel has reached the second round at Flushing Meadows and the 21-year-old will face Alison Van Uytvanck in her next match.Â
Venus Williams
In truth, itâs not a huge shock to see Venus Williams exit the competition early, yet this might be the 42-year-oldâs last ever appearance at Flushing Meadows.
Williams lost in straight sets to Van Uytvanck, but still has the womenâs doubles to look forward to with Serena.Â
Simona Halep
Halep had been one of the favourites for the US Open in the build-up to the event, having recently returned to the worldâs top 10.
But Ukraineâs Daria Snigur produced arguably the biggest upset of the round as she beat the seventh seed in three sets.
Snigur had never won a Grand Slam main draw match prior to defeating Halep and is currently ranked 125th in the world.Â
Daria Kasatkina
Kasatkina was seeded 10th for the event but lost to rising British star Harriet Dart in three sets.
The victory was no doubt the biggest of Dartâs career so far and the 26-year-old looks set to overtake Raducanu in the rankings to become the new British number one.Â
Amanda Anisimova
Anisimova reached at least the fourth round of the first three majors of the year and the American was predicted to go far in her home Grand Slam.
Yulia Putintseva put an end to this dream, however. The Kazakh star dominated Anisimova and won comfortably 6-3 6-3.