U.S. Open 2025 Day 1 Highlights: Djokovic and Sabalenka Shine

The 2025 U.S. Open kicked off with a wild, action-packed first day at Flushing Meadows. Defending champs Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka both started their title defenses strong, but the day really belonged to the unexpected and the dramatic.

Daniil Medvedev, the 13th seed, bowed out early after a wild match against Benjamin Bonzi. There was controversy, tension, and a bit of chaos—just what you’d expect from a big tournament opener.

Day 1 Highlights: A Rollercoaster Start

The opening day brought a mix of expected wins and a few jaw-dropping upsets. Top seeds came out firing, hoping to set the tone for the rest of the event.

Novak Djokovic, Jessica Pegula, Ben Shelton, and Taylor Fritz all moved on with straight-sets victories in their first matches. That’s not exactly shocking, but it sure sets up some interesting possibilities.

Top Seeds Shine

Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, last year’s winners, both looked sharp. Sinner, the men’s top seed, barely broke a sweat. Sabalenka, on the women’s side, breezed through her opener, too.

• Jannik Sinner – Played like a true top seed, totally in control.
• Aryna Sabalenka – Barely gave her opponent a chance in round one.

Novak Djokovic’s Smooth Start

Novak Djokovic, sitting at seventh seed, put on a clinic against Learner Tien. He’s got 24 Grand Slams under his belt, and that experience showed from the start.

If you want to dive into Djokovic’s match, here are the live updates from the New York Times.

Medvedev vs. Bonzi: A Match for the Ages

The real showstopper was Medvedev vs. Bonzi. Medvedev, seeded 13th, didn’t make it out of the first round. Bonzi took him down in five sets, and it was messy, emotional, and unforgettable.

This match had everything: a controversial delay, crowd drama, and Medvedev losing his cool. At one point, a photographer wandered onto the court during Bonzi’s serve on match point, stopping play for six minutes.

Controversial Moments

The interruption rattled both players, but Bonzi managed to pull himself together and finish the job. The crowd was buzzing, and Medvedev’s frustration was impossible to miss.

• Photographer Incident – A random photographer ended up on court, causing a long delay.
• Medvedev’s Reactions – He argued with the crowd and the umpire, making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Medvedev’s Frustration

Medvedev’s temper boiled over. He smashed his racket and had some choice words for pretty much everyone in sight. It’s been a rough year for him, and this early exit just adds to the frustration.

Want the full blow-by-blow? Here’s the detailed article from the New York Times.

Women’s Draw: Smooth Sailing for Top Seeds

On the women’s side, the big names mostly cruised. Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, and Jasmine Paolini all won their matches in straight sets. No real surprises there.

Notable Performances

Emma Navarro and Emma Raducanu also advanced, giving fans a reason to keep an eye on them. The real shocker came from world No. 75 Alexandra Eala, who knocked out 14th seed Clara Tauson in three sets.

• Jessica Pegula – Kept things tidy and moved on without much fuss.
• Alexandra Eala – Pulled off the upset of the day, sending Tauson home early.

Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead to Day 2, Madison Keys, Mirra Andreeva, Elena Rybakina, and Karolina Muchová are all set to play. Muchová faces wild card Venus Williams, and honestly, who isn’t curious to see what Venus can do?

For match-by-match updates, check out the New York Times.

Men’s Draw: Safe Passage for Top Contenders

Medvedev’s loss grabbed the headlines, but the rest of the top seeds in the men’s draw had it easier. Djokovic, Fritz, and Shelton all moved through with solid, straight-set wins.

Key Matches to Watch

Day 2 has some juicy matchups lined up. Carlos Alcaraz goes up against Reilly Opelka, which could get interesting. Frances Tiafoe also starts his campaign, hoping to keep up his recent momentum.

• Carlos Alcaraz – Faces a big-serving test in Opelka.
• Frances Tiafoe – Has a real shot to go deep if he keeps his head.

Late-Night Drama

The U.S. Open loves a late finish, and Day 1 delivered. Organizers seem to lean into these midnight marathons, billing them as epic, even if they wear players out. It’s part of what makes this tournament so different, for better or worse.