EDMUND UPSETS GASQUET
It’s been some year for Kyle Edmund, topped off here by despatching the 2013 US Open semi-finalist and 13th seed Richard Gasquet in three, comfortable straight sets.
“Definitely one of my best wins in my career,” said the 21-year-old ranked 84th in the world, who starred in Britain’s Davis Cup quarter-final triumph over Serbia. “Days like this feel really good. Luckily the match when I needed it it came good against a good opponent.”
It was Edmund’s second career win over a top-20 foe, coming after his upset of France’s Gilles Simon en route to the quarter-finals at Queen’s Club in June.
With a struggling John Isner (who needed five-sets to beat Frances Tiafoe) the biggest name in his run beyond the third-round, Edmund could be on for a bit of a run here.
Elsewhere, fellow Brit Johanna Konta breezed into round two, beating Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-3, 6-3.
DJOKER & GARBINE SCARES
Both Novak Djokovic and Garbine Muguruza advanced on day one but not without alarm.
World number one Djokovic, also the 2011 winner in New York and chasing his third major of the year, defeated Jerzy Janowicz of Poland 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 but required treatment on his upper right arm just five games into the first set.
Muguruza similarly overcame an on court niggle as she carved out a gritty 2-6, 6-0, 6-3 win over Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens, ranked at 137.
The French Open champion needed courtside treatment from a doctor after dropping the first set but romped back to victory.
One man without injury woes (touch wood), was Rafa Nadal who looked at ease despite his ongoing battle with the wrist injury that saw him bow out of the French Open and miss Wimbledon.
The Spaniard eased to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.
MONFILS MADNESS
Flamboyant French 10th seed Gael Monfils took his summer hardcourt record to 15-2 with a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 win over Gilles Muller of Luxemburg.
All very rudimentary stuff, except when Monfils almost suffered a freak accident when a giant courtside clock fell towards him as he collided with the back wall, chasing down a Muller shot.
“When you are in the moment you don’t feel really anything. Just jump. I saw a wall, but it was quite lucky,” admitted Monfils.
Quite lucky, indeed.