US Open 2025: Swiatek wins 28th straight opener, Sabalenka advances in women's Rd 1
Synopsis
Swiatek's 28-match Grand Slam opening-round winning streak headlined a chaotic Day 1 at Flushing Meadows — but the real story was Noskova's near-impossible comeback from 2-5 and two set points down, plus upsets that already have seeds scrambling. The women's draw is wide open.
Key Takeaways
Iga Swiatek defeated Wang Xiyu 6-2, 6-3 to extend her Grand Slam opening-round winning streak to 28 matches .
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka beat Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 to advance.
Linda Noskova recovered from 2-5 and two set points down to win 7-5, 6-1 against Katie Volynets .
28 seed Sara Bejlek and No.
20 seed Maja Chwalinska were both upset in the first round.
18-year-old Lilli Tagger claimed her first Grand Slam main-draw victory, defeating Tamara Korpatsch 6-0, 7-6(4) .
Sloane Stephens recorded her first Grand Slam main-draw win since Wimbledon 2024 .
Iga Swiatek extended her extraordinary Grand Slam opening-round record on 1 September at Flushing Meadows, defeating Wang Xiyu 6-2, 6-3 in 1 hour 28 minutes to register her 28th consecutive first-round win at a major. The seven-time Grand Slam champion's only first-round defeat at a major came at Wimbledon in 2019. Top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka also advanced safely, keeping her title defence on track.
Swiatek and Sabalenka Set the Pace
Swiatek broke late in the second set to close out Wang Xiyu with characteristic efficiency, underscoring why she remains the benchmark in women's tennis. Sabalenka, for her part, navigated some uneven spells before dismissing Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4, keeping her bid for back-to-back US Open titles firmly on course.
Noskova's Stunning Comeback
Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova produced the most dramatic turnaround of the day. Trailing 2-5 and facing two set points in the opening set against Katie Volynets, Noskova reeled off 11 of the final 12 games to win 7-5, 6-1 — a recovery that will rank among the more memorable first-round escapes of this year's tournament.
Anisimova, Muchova and Zheng Advance
Amanda Anisimova marked her birthday in style, sweeping past fellow American Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 6-3. Last year's New York finalist will next face Austrian teenager Lilli Tagger. Karolina Muchova needed just 58 minutes to dispatch Sinja Kraus 6-3, 6-0, while Zheng Qinwen completed a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 comeback over 16-year-old qualifier Kristina Liutova — her fourth win in succession since returning from injury.
Former champion Sloane Stephens also impressed, beating Clara Tauson 6-4, 6-1 for her first Grand Slam main-draw win since Wimbledon 2024. Seeds No. 15 Diana Shnaider and No. 16 Sorana Cirstea — the latter in what is reportedly her final US Open appearance — both advanced in straight sets.
Upsets Shake the Draw
Cristina Bucsa, entering the tournament with just two wins from her previous 11 matches, ousted No. 28 seed Sara Bejlek 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. Taylor Townsend also turned heads, upsetting Roland Garros finalist and No. 20 seed Maja Chwalinska 6-2, 6-3. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Lilli Tagger celebrated her first Grand Slam main-draw victory, defeating Tamara Korpatsch 6-0, 7-6(4) to announce her arrival on the biggest stage.
What to Watch Next
Swiatek's path to a potential title run will come into sharper focus in the second round, where she faces no seed. Sabalenka's draw opens up if she can maintain consistency past the early rounds. The presence of Tagger and Townsend in the second round adds intrigue to a women's draw already disrupted by early upsets. With several seeds already under pressure, the bottom half of the draw looks particularly open.
Point of View
But the more consequential development on Day 1 was the seedings that didn't hold. With Bejlek and Chwalinska already out, the women's draw has lost two projected quarter-final contributors before the tournament found its rhythm. Noskova's comeback also signals she has the mental resilience to go deep — and at a tournament where Swiatek and Sabalenka have dominated, that matters. The real question heading into the second week is whether any challenger can sustain pressure across five sets of conditions.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Iga Swiatek's Grand Slam opening-round winning streak?
Swiatek has now won 28 consecutive Grand Slam first-round matches. Her only first-round defeat at a major was at Wimbledon in 2019.
How did Linda Noskova win her first-round match at the US Open 2025?
Noskova trailed 2-5 and faced two set points in the opening set against Katie Volynets before staging a remarkable recovery, winning 7-5, 6-1 and claiming 11 of the final 12 games.
Who were the notable upsets on Day 1 of the US Open 2025 women's draw?
No. 28 seed Sara Bejlek was beaten by Cristina Bucsa 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, and No. 20 seed Maja Chwalinska was upset by Taylor Townsend 6-2, 6-3. Both results disrupted the projected draw.
How did defending champion Aryna Sabalenka perform in round one?
Sabalenka defeated Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4, advancing safely despite some uneven patches. She remains on track to defend her US Open title at Flushing Meadows.
Who is Lilli Tagger and why is she significant at US Open 2025?
Lilli Tagger is an 18-year-old Austrian teenager who recorded her first Grand Slam main-draw victory, beating Tamara Korpatsch 6-0, 7-6(4). She will next face Amanda Anisimova in the second round.
