Connect with us

CELEBRITY

US Open: The 4 defending champions to lose in Round 1 – as Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff avoid Emma Raducanu’s…see more

Published

on

US Open: The 4 defending champions to lose in Round 1 – as Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff avoid Emma Raducanu’s fate

The US Open is underway in some style, with both defending champions kickstarting their campaigns in style.

Coco Gauff cruised past Varvara Gracheva to begin the defence of her women’s singles title, while Novak Djokovic was in sublime form as he saw off Radu Albot in his mission for a fifth US Open crown.

Gauff and Djokovic may have easily navigated the start of their title defences – but not every former champion has been so lucky.
F
We look back at the four reigning US Open champions who have been beaten in round one of their title defences.

Pat Rafter – 1999
Former world No 1 Rafter became the first player in history to be defeated in the opening round of his US Open title defence 25 years ago.

The greatest successes of the Australian’s career came at Flushing Meadows, beating Greg Rusedski to win his first title in 1997 and then compatriot Mark Philippoussis to defend his title in 1998.

Rafter was the fourth seed heading into the event in 1999 and was seeded fourth, and started brightly – racing to a two-set lead against two-time major finalist Cedric Pioline.

But the Australian was struggling with tendonitis and, after the Frenchman levelled the match, Rafter retired just one game into the deciding set.

He was trailing 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 1-0 to Pioline when he retired, and he is still the only man to lose in the opening round of his title defence.

Svetlana Kuznetsova – 2005
Two decades ago, Kuznetsova achieved one the greatest triumphs of her career, becoming the first Russian woman to win the title in New York after beating compatriot Elena Dementieva in the final.

But a year later it was an entirely different story for the world No 2, who was the fifth seed at the 2005 US Open – but was struggling with a back injury at the time.

Kuznetsova was still a heavy favourite against compatriot Ekaterina Bychkova, but the world 97 – making her Grand Slam debut – eased her way to a 6-3, 6-2 victory.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CELEBRITY4 hours ago

Justin Trudeau slammed as cringe-worthy videos show him dancing at Taylor Swift while Montreal burns

CELEBRITY6 hours ago

New Update; Kendrick Lamar’s new album does not feature Taylor Swift after claims he was working with his Bad Blood partner again

CELEBRITY22 hours ago

New releases ;Jason Kelce reveals what he’ll get brother Travis and Taylor Swift for Christmas 22 comments

CELEBRITY3 days ago

Hot cake; Taylor Swift is recording a new song with a famous rapper according to DJ Snake

CELEBRITY3 days ago

EXCLUSIVE; Taylor Swift is already working on new music for 2025 and has plans to tour AGAIN in 2026 – despite being slammed as ‘gross’ by fatigued fans for releasing 30-PLUS versions of The Tortured Poets Department

CELEBRITY3 days ago

New Update; Taylor Swift’s surprising new friendship with liberal journalist Ronan Farrow revealed

CELEBRITY4 days ago

Taylor Swift performs acoustic version of Rihanna song she wrote with ex Calvin Harris during Eras Tour show in Liverpool

CELEBRITY4 days ago

BREAKING NEWS; Police ‘make major breakthrough’ in Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce burglaries investigation

CELEBRITY4 days ago

Update; Jason Kelce reveals huge change Taylor Swift has made to Travis Kelce’s personality during their romance: ‘My girl Tay’

CELEBRITY4 days ago

WAG wars! Wife of Bills star under fire for brutal Taylor Swift post after win over Travis Kelce and the Chiefs

CELEBRITY4 days ago

REVEALED: Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s romance has cost the NFL star a staggering $8 MILLION – after he shelled out for everything from private jet rides to lavish Valentine’s gifts

CELEBRITY4 days ago

Unbelievable; Serena Williams films special Rafael Nadal video with touching clothing choice

Copyright © 2024 UKgets