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 world’s 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 –– 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. 

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 Spain’s Cristina Bucsa. 

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. 

Rybakina

Venus Williams

In truth, it’s not a huge shock to see Venus Williams exit the competition early, yet this might be the 42-year-old’s last ever appearance at Flushing Meadows. 

Williams lost in straight sets to Van Uytvanck, but still has the women’s doubles to look forward to with Serena. 

Venus Williams
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Venus Williams of the United States plays a backhand against Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium in their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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 world’s top 10. 

But Ukraine’s 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. 

Halep

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 Dart’s career so far and the 26-year-old looks set to overtake Raducanu in the rankings to become the new British number one. 

Kasatkina

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.