At the conclusion of Tuesday's play at the 2024 US Open, all 256 players in the women's and men's singles main draws have graced the Grand Slam stage in New York. With the opening round in the books, just 64 women and 64 men remain in the hunt for the trophy at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Day 2 saw the headliners tested in Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner both surviving stressful spells to advance in the day session before Carlos Alcaraz dropped a set in an evening win.
Let's take a trip around the grounds with some of the biggest stories from Tuesday's US Open action.
Swiatek, Sinner, Alcaraz pass stress tests in Ashe
It's become a tennis cliche that first-round matches are always tricky, but these sort of lines become cliches for a reason. Once again, the old adage proved true on Day 2 as three big names faced some big challenges in Ashe.
First up was Iga Swiatek, who raced to a 4-0 lead against Kamilla Rakhimova before being dragged into a 6-4, 7-6(6) battle with the lucky loser.
"I'm happy that I'm through to the second round, because, you know, first rounds are never easy," she said, repeating the maxim. "But for sure I want to improve some things and adjust a little bit so I'll make less mistakes."
Sinner had a similar assessment after his 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 win against Mackenzie McDonald, who took the match to the Italian in the opening set before the world No. 1 hit his stride.
"Tough match obviously. First matches are never easy," he said, repeating the infamous line. "Took some time to get in the rhythm, but very happy how I ended the match, which hopefully can give me confidence for the next match."
In the Ashe evening session, Carlos Alcaraz said he was "surprised" by the level of Aussie qualifier Li Tu, but the Spaniard won 10 of the last 11 games to earn a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win.
Aside from the win, the 21-year-old was thrilled to be back on the court where he won his first major title in 2022.
"Here in New York it's crazy. I love playing here in New York," he said in his post-match presser. "The crowd gives you an energy that probably you don't feel in other courts. I love playing here.
"As I said on court, it's a huge honor. It's a privilege that I can still play in Arthur Ashe. Every time that I play matches in Ashe, I try to enjoy as much as I can because it's a unique feeling playing in this amazing court, in front of a fine crowd. For me, it's great."
Jessica Pegula finished the Ashe activity with a 6-4, 6-3 win against the retiring Shelby Rogers, who was given the mic for an emotional sendoff speech after the match. (More on this later... )
Former champs Osaka, Medvedev start strong in Armstrong
It's a good thing Naomi Osaka played during the day, because the 2018 and 2020 champ was lights out in Louie. She was clinical in a 6-3, 6-2 victory against 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko, who last year stunned Swiatek to make the New York quarterfinals.
The Japanese star did not drop serve in the 64-minute match, firing 21 winners, including 12 from her forehand wing.
Daniil Medvedev, seeking a hard-court turnaround after opening-round exits in Montreal and Cincinnati, got back on track with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 result against Dusan Lajovic.
The Armstrong evening winners were Jasmine Paolini and Tommy Paul. Paolini beat 2019 US Open champ Bianca Andreescu for the third time in as many majors and will now hope to match or better her runner-up finishes at Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Tommy Paul wrapped up Day 2 play after 1:30 a.m. with a 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 win over Winston-Salem champ Lorenzo Sonego.
While the Ashe action ended with a farewell, Louie started with a US Open sendoff. Caroline Dolehide defeated countrywoman Danielle Collins, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, in what will be Collins' final Grand Slam match before she retires at the season's end.
Tsitsipas stalls in Grandstand
Stefanos Tsitsipas' US Open struggles continued this year with a 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 defeat to Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis. The Greek dropped to 6-7 at the US Open with the result and remains in search of his first trip beyond Round 3.
Elena Rybakina (def. Destanee Aiava) and Sebastian Korda (def. Corentin Moutet) had no such trouble as seeded stars in Grandstand, where Sofia Kenin beat Emma Raducanu, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, in a battle of former Grand Slam champions.
Wait for it... Evans wins record long match
After five hours, 36 minutes, Daniel Evans outlasted Karen Khachanov in a marathon match that set the record for longest at the US Open. The Briton battled back from 4-0 down in the final set to notch a historic 6-7(8), 7-6(2), 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4 victory—beating out the previous record, set in Stefan Edberg's 1992 semifinal win against Michael Chang, by nine minutes.
Shot of the Day: Behind-the-back brilliance from Karolina Muchova in her 6-3, 7-5 win against Katie Volynets.
Quote of the Day: “It’s a compliment that people want to see me play more. But at the same time, I’m just kind of ready for that next chapter.” —Danielle Collins, who will retire at the end of the year
Tweet of the Day: Shelby Rogers gives an emotional farewell speech in Arthur Ashe Stadium after playing the final singles match of her career. The American recently announced that she would retire following the 2024 US Open.
Parting Shot: A close-up of Naomi Osaka's stylish sneakers.
