Upsets abound in Round 1 of the US Open

The GIST: It’s still early in the tournament, but record-setting crowds are pouring in to watch week one of the US Open, where there’s already been shocking upsets and triumphant debuts on the famous blue hard courts of Queens, NY. Aces all around.

World No. 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 11 Danielle Collins ousted in first round: Tsitsipas lost to unranked Thanasi Kokkinakis in four sets yesterday, yet another poor showing at the Big Apple Grand Slam, where he’s never made it past the third round.

• As for the women, Collins (who was making her final major appearance) was upset by fellow American Caroline Dolehide, a lackluster finish to an otherwise outstanding pre-retirement year on the WTA Tour.

• But on the other side of an upset is an athlete ascending: two-time US Open champ Naomi Osaka entered as an unranked wild card and topped 2023 quarter-finalist No. 10 Jelena Ostapenko yesterday in a thrilling first-round matchup.

• And on Monday, 16-year-old Iva Jokić became the youngest American since 2000 to win a main-draw match.

Three American men head into Round 2: No. 12 Taylor Fritz, No. 13 Ben Shelton, and No. 20 Frances Tiafoe all begin their second-round campaigns today, still facing unranked opponents at this early stage, while No. 1 Jannik Sinner is moving on after winning his first match since news of his doping scandal broke.

• Unfortunately, Canada has had a rough time on the hard courts. No. 19 Félix Auger-Aliassime fell in straight sets yesterday, and both No. 23 Leylah Fernandez and 2019 US Open champ Bianca Andreescu exited early after tough three-set battles.

No. 3 Coco Gauff, No. 2 Novak Djokovic continue their title defenses: Both defending champs hit Arthur Ashe Stadium for second-round action tonight, with Gauff facing Tatjana Maria at 7 p.m. ET and Djokovic taking on fellow Serbian Laslo Djere directly after, at 8:15 p.m. ET. Watch the throne.