Popyrin, Hijikata lead charge as Aussies start strong at US Open
The 2024 US Open is underway in New York, with the Australian contingent putting in a good showing on day one of the Grand Slam on Monday.
No.28 seed Alexei Popyrin led the charge with a strong straight sets victory over former No.52 Soonwoo Kwon, defeating the South Korean 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.
Popyrin came to New York at a career-high No.23 in the world, having just won the Montreal Masters in the lead-up to the tournament.
Tennis betting sites gave him an outside chance at the title ahead of day one, with Playup pricing him at $151 heading into the US Open.
Outside of Popyrin’s win, plenty of other Aussies advanced on day one as well.
Rinky Hijikata had an excellent victory over the dangerous Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, edging the Spaniard 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to book his place in the second round.
Ajla Tomljanovic also progressed in the women’s draw. She saw off American Ann Li 6-4, 6-4, and will face Germany’s Elise Mertens, the No.33 seed, in the next round.
Maya Joint also won, overcoming veteran Laura Siegemund 6-5, 7-5 to set a date with American Madison Keys in the second round.
Kimberly Birrel was not so fortunate, exiting in straight sets at the hands of 24th seed Donna Vekic.
Adam Walton also lost on Monday, but put up a good fight against Alexandre Muller, going out 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-4 to the Frenchman.
With one of the biggest Australian showings at the US Open in decades, there are plenty more Aussies to be seen in action on day two of the tournament.
Qualifier Li Tu takes on third seed Carlos Alcaraz under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium in what will be the 28-year-old’s biggest match of his career.
Title-hope Alex de Minaur begins his campaign, hoping to outperform his odds of $101 to win the US Open as he plays American Marcos Giron.
Thanasi Kokkinakis will also be hoping for a good showing, with a rematch of his 2021 Australian Open clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas lined up for Tuesday.
The Aussie is a $3.40 underdog to defeat Tsitsipas, having lost in five sets the last time they met.
