Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka, the last two winners of the US Open, are out of the Grand Slam in the first round after straight-set losses.
Alizé Cornet halted reigning champion Raducanu’s title defense Tuesday night, downing the British star 6-3, 6-3.
The 32-year-old Frenchwoman is appearing in her 63rd straight major main draw, a record run in the Open Era.
“I think I’m handling my emotions better,” Cornet said following the first-round victory. “I guess I’m getting old — more mature. It shows in my results. I’m 32 — better late than never.”
Cornet has shown up in big moments this season, notching five top-20 wins, including her stunning victory over No. 1 Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon and a triumph over Simona Halep in Australia.
Katerina Siniaková awaits Cornet in the second round.
.@alizecornet is victorious in Armstrong!She defeats Raducanu, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to Round 2. pic.twitter.com/RHAd0zCBxv— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2022
.@alizecornet is victorious in Armstrong!She defeats Raducanu, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to Round 2. pic.twitter.com/RHAd0zCBxv
Two-time US Open champion Osaka, who won the New York major in 2018 and 2020, greeted adoring fans Tuesday as she exited Arthur Ashe Stadium after falling to Danielle Collins.
The No. 19 seed hit Osaka off the court, deploying an aggressive baseline game to defeat the 24-year-old 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
“I’m the type of person that thinks a lot, to the point where I overthink. Sometimes when I play matches, I have to tell myself to stop thinking, just go more on instinct,” Osaka said after the loss. “I feel like I just have to chill a little bit, because there’s a lot of like random chaos in my head right now.”
Collins will continue her run at Flushing Meadows on Thursday, taking on Cristina Bucșa in the second round.
Danielle Collins is into Round 2 of the #USOpen pic.twitter.com/rUZa0hWKHx— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2022
Danielle Collins is into Round 2 of the #USOpen pic.twitter.com/rUZa0hWKHx