Fifth seed Jack Draper is off to a winning start to his 2025 campaign on Louis Armstrong Stadium, emerging victorious over Qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-2 in three hours.
In his on-court interview, the British No. 1 said: “Unbelievable to be out here in New York playing on Louis Armstrong Stadium. I wasn’t too sure if I was going to make it here this year, but we did a great job with the team since Wimbledon to get myself back on court.”
Competing in his fourth consecutive US Open, the first round contest marked the 23-year-old’s return from injury to tour-level competition since Wimbledon.
“It wasn’t my finest performance, but credit to my opponent, he played some outstanding tennis,” added Draper. “I look forward to hopefully improving and getting better as the tournament goes on.”
Next, the world No. 5 will square off against world No. 48 Zizou Bergs, who earlier beat Tseng Chun-sin in straight sets.
Last year, the 3-time ATP titlist progressed to his maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open without dropping a set, halted by the eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
The Brit’s serve was pivotal throughout the match, resisting the stern test posed by the Argentine, who found his rhythm toward the third set, winning 75 percent of the points on his first serve.
Trailing by 4-1, he put to good use his powerful forehand to push the Indian Wells champion to a fourth set, fending off a match point in the tiebreak before stealing the third with a winner.
Then, Draper responded fast, producing an empathic start to the fourth set, breaking early.
With the score tied at 2-2, the Sutton native kicked level, winning the final four games to wrap up the set and the match.
Elsewhere, Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca lit up the crowd packing Grandstand, securing a 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-3 victory over Miomir Kecmanovic after an edgy two-hour, 26-minute electrifying encounter.
During his post-match press conference, the Buenos Aires champion commented: “First round is always a little bit more tense. At the beginning of the match, he got an early break, but I got it back. In the tiebreak, I played really well and increased my level.
“I think the most important thing today was that I played well in the important points.”
In the second round, the 19-year-old will meet 21st seed Tomas Machac, who defeated Italian Luca Nardi in straight sets.
Fonseca and Machac have never played one another on tour before.
Making his first US Open main draw appearance, Fonseca played with conviction, taking the better of his opponent each time the set went into a tiebreak, holding his ground against the Delray Beach titlist.
In the third set, the Rio de Janeiro-born felt unwell, receiving treatment from the trainer, but he found his way back into the match, fueled by the Brazilian fans’ energy to go the extra mile, notching the triumph in New York City in the fourth.
“The mentality of staying positive and focusing on the next point was really important,” he added.
As a result, he completed the set of match wins at all four majors in as many appearances.
All in all, the world No. 45 hit 51 winners (14 aces) against 32 unforced errors, winning 75 percent of first serve points, and 63 percent behind his second delivery.
“It means a lot to have the Brazilian flag with me. Thank you to all the Brazilians who supported me today.”
Also, home hope and 17th-seed Frances Tiafoe battled past Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka with a 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-3 win to reach the second round in Arthur Ashe Stadium for the eighth consecutive season.
“It’s always great to play on this court. It’s unbelievable to be back at the amazing US Open,” asserted the two-time semifinalist after his opener.
He will next play qualifier Martin Damm, who outlasted American wild card Darwin Blanch 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 earlier in the day session.
Tiafoe, 27, also spoke about his fitness, remarking that he is feeling healthy, “close to 100 percent.”
“I’m going to be good, exactly where I want to be. I’ve had so many good memories in this place. It’s like second nature.”