Aryna Sabalenka launched the defence of her US Open crown with a battling victory on Sunday as American men's hopes Taylor Fritz and Blake Shelton advanced safely.Shelton and Fritz are spearheading US hopes of a first Grand Slam men's singles win since Andy Roddick's victory at the 2003 US Open.

Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton kept American hopes flying high at the U.S. Open while 2021 champion Emma Raducanu advanced to the second round for the first time since her triumph, as the year's final major kicked off a day earlier than usual on Sunday.

Defending U.S. Open champion Aryna Sabalenka was given an early test before she moved into the second round while Emma Raducanu won her first match at the Grand Slam since her 2021 triumph as the tournament began a day earlier than usual on Sunday.

Emma Raducanu ruthlessly sweeps aside Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara to earn her first win at the US Open since her 2021 title triumph.

Four years ago, Emma Raducanu shocked the tennis world when she won the U.S. Open as an 18-year-old qualifier. But nearly as staggering had been Raducanu’s lack of success at Flushing Meadows since then.