New York, Aug 30 : Reigning champion Daniil Medvedev of Russia started his US Open title defence with victory, cruising past American Stefan Kozlov 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 to reach the second round.
The top seed, who defeated Novak Djokovic to lift his maiden major title in Flushing Meadows last year, quickly found his range on the hard courts.
He struck his flat groundstrokes with consistency as he overpowered Kozlov to advance after two hours and one minute in their first Head-2-Head meeting on Monday.
The 26-year-old now holds a standout 21-4 record at the final Grand Slam of the year. The 14-time tour-level champion next plays Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech as he looks to continue his quest to become the first player to win consecutive US Open titles since Roger Federer lifted the trophy for five consecutive years from 2004-08.
Australian Nick Kyrgios ousted close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis. The 23rd seed defeated Kokkinakis 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) to reach the second round at Flushing Meadows.
He will play Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi for a place in the third round.
Kyrgios has shown the best form of his career in recent months, reaching the Wimbledon final, winning the Washington title and defeating World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in Montreal. He maintained that form inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday evening following Serena Williams’ match, earning his 200th tour-level win after two hours and one minute.
In other action, Colombian qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan caused the upset of the US Open so far, with a four-set win over No. 4 seed Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Colombian earned the biggest win of his career inside Louis Armstrong Stadium, where he stunned the Tsitsipas 6-0, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 behind 41 winners to reach the second round at Flushing Meadows.
The World No. 94 converted his ninth match point after two hours and 48 minutes on his main draw debut at the season’s final major.
He will plays Jordan Thompson of Australia for a place in the third round.
