Medvedev, Pegula ease into U.S. Open second round
NEW YORK: Former champion Daniil Medvedev made a confident start to his U.S. Open campaign on Sunday, defeating French qualifier Hugo Gaston 6-4 6-2 6-4 as the year’s final Grand Slam began with a record $108 million purse.
Medvedev, who suffered a chaotic first-round exit at Flushing Meadows last year, looked composed on Arthur Ashe Stadium as he put a difficult buildup behind him.
“Last couple of weeks were not easy,” Medvedev said. “I’m happy that today I managed to produce high-level tennis.”
The Russian, who made early exits from Cincinnati and Montreal, will face either American wildcard Sebastian Gorzny or Belgian Raphael Collignon in the second round.
World number three Jessica Pegula also advanced comfortably, beating Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3 6-2 in the opening match on Ashe.
The 2024 finalist will next meet either American wildcards Venus Williams or Sofia Kenin, who were scheduled to play later on Sunday.
Twice Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova became the first seeded player to fall, losing 7-6(4) 6-2 to Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova despite saving six match points.
Italian Jasmine Paolini, meanwhile, overcame Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec 6-3 3-6 6-4 at Louis Armstrong Stadium, hitting 36 winners to set up a second-round meeting with compatriot Lucrezia Stefanini.
