US Open Day 1 Takeaways: Rune’s tantrum, Gauff’s comeback, Djokovic reclaims throne
By Marvin Azrak
From Rune’s Court 5 catastrophe to the Tiafoe Express and Djokovic’s triumphant return to World No. 1. This is everything that happened on Day 1 of the 2023 US Open.
The iconic grounds of the US Open have once again come alive with electrifying tennis action, marking the commencement of yet another thrilling chapter of the 2023 Tennis season. Day 1 of the tournament was an explosive opening act, delivering many surprises, heart-racing matches, and unforgettable moments. From a court catastrophe to the return of a familiar king to his throne, it kickstarted what should be a dramatic finish to the Grand Slam season.
Join us as we dive into the faction and unveil our takeaways that have set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable fortnight in Flushing Meadows.
US Open Day 1 Takeaways: Rune’s Court 5 Catastrophe
Holger Rune’s relationship status with U.S. Open’s Court 5? It isn’t straightforward. The No. 4 seed from Denmark wasn’t on a first-name basis with the court, and guess what? His opinion didn’t budge even after playing on it. He went down in a blaze of defeat, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, against the 63rd-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena.
Carballes Baena, the Spanish tennis magician at 30, pulled off his first-ever victory against a top-10 player in his 14th attempt. Rune, a 20-year-old star on the rise, had impressive performances at the French Open and Wimbledon, breaking into the top five for the first time.
The match was like a seesaw, as the players split the first two sets. Then Rune’s game got a bit shaky. He broke Carballes Baena’s serve, making it 3-4 in the third set, and just when things seemed to be looking up, he lost the following eight points faster than a sneeze. Talk about a rollercoaster ride!
Rune’s frustration was like a headline act in Monday’s early morning drama, but his shots ended up being the punchline. A double fault from him gave Carballes Baena a golden opportunity, and with one swift move, it was over – Rune’s forehand hit the net for his 41st error of the day.
By the time the curtain closed on this tennis theater, Carballes Baena had an impressive 76% success rate on his first serves, outshining Rune’s 61%. He broke Rune’s serve a whopping seven times. The next highest seeds better be ready because Carballes Baena just turned this bracket into a high-stakes poker game.