Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 29 August-11 September |
Coverage: Daily radio commentaries across BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app, with selected live text commentaries and match reports on the website and app |
Carlos Alcaraz reached the US Open second round after Argentine Sebastian Baez was forced to retire on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Third seed Alcaraz led 7-5 7-5 2-0 when the injured Baez, 21, decided he was unable to complete a thrilling meeting between two exciting talents.
Alcaraz, 19, is bidding to win his maiden Grand Slam title in New York.
He is also one of four players who could finish the tournament as the world’s top-ranked men’s player.
“Nobody wants to see the match end like this,” said Alcaraz, who will face Federico Coria next. “Sebastian is a great player and he deserves the best things.
“It was really tough, the second set was really tough for me to stay at the level physically and mentally, but the energy I received on Arthur Ashe was really special.”
The Spaniard reached his first major quarter-final at last year’s US Open – a feat he matched at the French Open in May.
He added: “Last year was one of the best moments of my life and of my career. One year later, being fourth in the world, is something special for me.”
Having edged the first set by clinching the contest’s first break of serve in the 12th game, Alcaraz maintained that momentum by striking early in the second.
A breathless second set featured several enthralling battles – with Baez breaking back in a 13-minute third game which had the crowd on their feet, before once again requiring a fifth break point to move 4-3 up.
But it was Alcaraz who finished stronger in humid conditions as the match passed the two-hour mark, claiming a fourth game in five as he eventually took a fourth set point on his opponent’s serve.
Baez required a medical timeout before starting the third set and it was soon clear he would not be able to be competitive, taking the decision to retire after falling a break down.
Fellow Argentine Coria overcame Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 7-5 6-4 6-3 to set up a meeting with Alcaraz.
Rublev survives scare as Cilic and Dimitrov progress
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, ninth seed Andrey Rublev let slip a two-set lead before prevailing in a five-set epic against Serb Laslo Djere.
The Russian eventually won 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 3-6 4-6 6-4 as he clinched his first match point on Djere’s serve after three hours and 41 minutes.
Rublev will play Kwon Soon-woo in the second round, after the South Korean defeated Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-2 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 6-3.
Croatia’s 15th seed and 2014 champion Marin Cilic beat German Maximilian Marterer 6-3 6-2 7-5, while Bulgarian 17th seed Grigor Dimitrov won 6-3 6-2 6-2 against American Steve Johnson.
Dimitrov will face another American in Brandon Nakashima next, following the 21-year-old’s 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-2 win over Russian Pavel Kotov.
Another home player, John Isner, won 6-3 6-1 7-5 against Argentine Federico Delbonis and will meet Danish 28th seed Holger Rune next after the 19-year-old beat German Peter Gojowczyk 6-2 6-4 7-6 (7-5).
Serb Miomir Kecmanovic, seeded 32nd, came from behind to progress 3-6 6-1 6-3 6-3 against American Learner Tien, with upcoming French opponent Richard Gasquet defeating Japan’s Taro Daniel 6-4 6-7 (1-7) 6-2 6-2.