US Open: Stefanos Tsitsipas edges Murray in 5-set Round 1 thriller
September 1, 2021
Former world No. 1 Andy Murray went down fighting in the first round of the US Open as third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas triumphed in a near five-hour contest on Monday.
As fans returned in numbers to Flushing Meadows for the first time in two years, they were treated to quality tennis at Arthur Ashe Stadium where Tsitsipas won 2-6 7-6(7) 3-6 6-3 6-4, even as Murray fumed over what he saw as the Greek’s stalling tactics.
Second seed Daniil Medvedev beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4 6-3 6-1 in the final match of the day.
Fans stayed well beyond midnight hoping to be entertained by Nick Kyrgios but the only fireworks the Australian provided were arguments with the chair umpire over towels while slumping to a 6-3 6-4 6-0 loss to Roberto Bautista Agut.
Two-time champion Naomi Osaka kicked off her title defence with a 6-4 6-1 victory over Czech Marie Bouzkova and she was happy to have the crowd back. Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Pliskova also won. — Reuters
