Daijiworld Media Network- New York

New York, Aug 27: The opening week of the US Open 2025 witnessed a star-studded line-up on Tuesday as men’s defending champion Jannik Sinner and former women’s champions Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff all launched their campaigns with convincing wins at Flushing Meadows.

World No.1 Sinner, who has already clinched the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles this year while finishing runner-up at Roland Garros, showed no signs of rustiness as he brushed aside Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in straight sets on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 24-year-old Italian, chasing his fourth Grand Slam of the season, is bidding to become the first man since Roger Federer (2008) to retain the US Open crown.

Sinner, who recently recovered from illness that forced him to pull out of the Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz, looked composed and confident. “I feel like it’s over. We are focusing on hard work again and trying to get better as an athlete,” he remarked, reflecting on a year that also saw him move past an early-season doping controversy.

In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek, the 2022 champion, proved her versatility yet again by easing past Colombia’s Emiliana Arango. Once seen as a clay-court specialist, the Polish star has flourished on faster courts in 2025, capturing Wimbledon and Cincinnati titles earlier this year.

The evening session belonged to American crowd-favourite Coco Gauff, who thrilled home fans with a straight-sets victory over Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic. The third seed, aiming to reclaim the crown she won in 2023, showcased power and poise under the Ashe lights.

Meanwhile, world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz, expected to be Sinner’s toughest rival again, had begun his campaign on Monday with a strong win over American Reilly Opelka, setting the stage for another possible blockbuster clash later in the tournament.