Tunisian fifth seed, Ons Jabeur eased into US Open second round with a straight sets win over American Madison Brengle in first round on Monday.
The 28-year-old on Sunday, became the first Arab or African woman to reach a major final earlier this summer but was defeated at Wimbledon by Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, having won the first set.
Jabeur claimed the initial advantage in the opening set, after breaks in the first three games, to lead 3-1 before Brengle levelled at 3-3. After successive breaks followed to take the set to 5-5, Jabeur edged out in front at 6-5 and closed out the opener on her second set point.
The second set was more comfortable for the Tunisian, who, having trailed 2-1, won the next five games to seal the victory and move into the second round, where she will face another American in Elizabeth Mandlik.
Meanwhile, seventh seed Simona Halep suffered a first round US Open exit at the hands of qualifier, Daria Snigur of Ukraine in the biggest shock of the opening day at Flushing Meadows.
The Romanian collapsed to a 2-6 6-0 3-6 defeat against the world No. 124, as her dreams of claiming a third Grand Slam singles title unexpectedly went up in smoke.
Snigur, 20, took the opening set in impressive fashion, but Halep recovered by bageling her opponent and appeared to have momentum on her side going into the decider.
However, it was the Ukrainian who took the initiative, breaking Halep’s serve twice on her way to a memorable victory in her Grand Slam main draw debut.
It was Snigur’s first tour-level match win in her first meeting with a top-10 ranked player, and it earned her a second-round clash with Magdalena Frech or Rebecca Marino.
“I’m very happy. I want to say thanks to Simona for such a great match, it was a great experience for me.
“It’s impossible to play against Simona and win!
“I want to say thanks to all the fans who watched our match today.
“I was very very nervous but I tried to do my best.
This match is for my Ukraine, for my family, for my fans, I want to say thank you to all,” said Snigur.
(Reuters/NAN)