Play got underway at the US Open for the first time on a Sunday. I am not sure what the fans think about this, but I imagine the organization does not really care what the fans think. I am more interested in how the seeds fared, especially the Americans.

Embed from Getty Images

Emma Navarro Amongst American Winners

[4] Taylor Fritz defeated fellow American, Emilio Nava. Nava came out hot but quickly fizzled. Fritz won 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.  [4] Jessica Pegula got underway with a 6-0, 6-4 defeat of Mayar Sherif. [6] Ben Shelton got by the qualifier, Ignacio Buse, in three sets. It was not a blow out, but Shelton won 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. [10] Emma Navarro had a battle on her hands in the first set against Yafan Wang. I am glad to see her digging deep to win the breaker and ultimately the match 7-6(9), 6-3. Eliot Spizzirri got a wild card into the main draw and was fortunate to meet another wild card as his opponent. Unfortunately, it was another American, Stefan Dostanic. Spizzirri defeated his countryman 7-5, 6-4, 7-6(4).

Embed from Getty Images

[30] Brandon Nakashima almost let his match slip away against the qualifier, Jesper de Jong.  The American won the first set 6-2, then subsequently lost the next two sets 6-7(5), 2-6. Somehow, he managed to regain his focus to win the next two sets and the match 6-2, 7-6(7). It could have easily slipped away, so kudos to Nakashima for digging deep. [32] McCartney Kessler dispatched of the veteran, Magda Linette, 7-5, 7-5. Caty McNally is slowly working her way back into top form following injury. The American easily defeated Jil Teichmann 6-2, 6-2.

Some Seeds Have Already Fallen

Embed from Getty Images

[13] Daniil Medvedev could not pull a rabbit out of his hat this time. He fought back to even the match against Benjamin Bonzi, but he ran out of gas in the fifth set. Bonzi won 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4. [14] Clara Tauson squandered an opportunity to serve for the match. That lapse in focus was her undoing and she lost to Alexandra Eala. Eala won 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(11). [24] Veronika Kudermetova continues to struggle to find consistency at her top form. It showed today when she lost to the qualifier, Janice Tjen, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Adrian Mannarino is showing he still has game. The Frenchman upset [29] Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets 7-5, 6-4, 6-0.

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES