The 2021 US Open is finally upon us, and the action has been intense right from the get-go. World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas and three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray served up a treat for tennis fans with a five-set thriller while teen phenom Coco Gauff also went the distance in her match against Magda Linette.
Tsitsipas defeats Murray in tense five-set encounter
On Monday, Stefanos Tsitsipas survived a major scare, edging past Andy Murray in five tough sets in a thrilling encounter on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Greek star had to come back from a set down twice to record an epic 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over the former British men's No. 1.
Tsitsipas needed four hours and 49 minutes to outlast Murray, who produced his best display on the tennis courts since serious hip problems derailed his career. Murray came out guns blazing, immediately grabbing a double break to storm to a 4-1 advantage before eventually taking the opening set 6-2.
The final result could have been much different for Murray if he converted his chances in the second set. The Scot had two set points in the tie-breaker but failed to convert each of those. Tsitsipas took full advantage of Murray's missed opportunities, taking the second set 9-7 in the tie-breaker to level the contest at a set apiece.
Murray battled back, however, after that late collapse in the second set, immediately racing to a 3-0 edge in the third set. He saved the four break points he faced and recorded 13 winners against Tsitsipas to take the third set 6-3.
Tsitsipas managed to force a decider, taking the fourth set 6-4. Controversy then surrounded the match when Tsitsipas went on a long bathroom break between the fourth and the fifth sets, much to the dismay of Murray, who accused the Greek star of cheating.
Murray's anger boiled over into the fifth set as Tsitsipas quickly broke his serve in the opening game. That early break proved to be enough for Tsitsipas as he went on to eliminate the former US Open champion.
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Gauff survives Linette challenge to book Stephens showdown
Also surviving a tough first-round match on Monday was Coco Gauff. In front of a partisan home crowd, the American came back from a set down to defeat Magda Linette, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. Gauff had to dig deep to record the victory in a match that lasted two hours and 33 minutes.
Trailing by a set and 2-0 at one stage, Gauff suddenly went on a roll, winning 10 of the next 11 games to take control of the match. However, things will get tougher for Gauff, as she will next face former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the second round. Stephens earlier won against Madison Keys in a rematch of their 2017 final.
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