Djokovic's historic stumble opens chaotic US Open
Novak Djokovic's first-round exit ended his extraordinary Grand Slam streak as Alcaraz returned and Sabalenka pressed her three-peat bid.
Novak Djokovic has lost in the first round of a Grand Slam before—just never at Flushing Meadows. ESPN reported that the Serbian fell to Argentina's Mariano Navone in five sets, losing 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. It marked his first opening-round defeat at the US Open in his career.
The loss carried wider significance. Per ESPN, the result brought an end to Djokovic's 78-match winning streak across Grand Slam first rounds—the longest such run by any man in the Open Era. That streak stretched back years, a monument to the consistency of his peak years.
On the comeback trail, Carlos Alcaraz looked sharp in his return. The Spaniard dispatched Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, according to ESPN, in his first competitive outing since he withdrew from Barcelona in April due to a wrist injury. The convincing straight-sets victory suggested he had recovered fully.
Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion, handled Camila Osorio with ease, winning 6-2, 6-4, according to Sky Sports. Sabalenka is pursuing a third consecutive US Open title, which would be the first time anyone has won three in a row at the tournament since Serena Williams in 2014.
Harriet Dart also progressed on the women's side, rallying from a set down to beat Peyton Stearns 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, per Sky Sports, in a match that underlined the tournament's opening day drama.