Competing at the US Open as an unseeded player for the first time, Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas played the role of “seed-slayer” in the opening round. After dropping the first set, he rallied to win three consecutive sets—defeating French player Arthur Fils, the 10th seed and reigning Cincinnati Masters champion, with a score of 4–6, 7–6 (7–3), 6–1, 6–4—to advance to the second round.
Tsitsipas had been hampered by injuries late last year and struggled to find his form earlier this season, but he has gradually regained his rhythm as the year progressed; in August, he ended a 16-month title drought at the Swiss Open in Gstaad. Following his first-round victory over the player who had claimed the Cincinnati title just eight days prior, he said, “I’m speechless; I don’t know what to say. It’s an incredible start. The crowd supported me throughout the match—thank you so much.”