US Open: Emma Raducanu fails to defend her title

32-year-old Cornet, currently ranked 40 globally, registered a 6-3, 6-3 victory at Louis Armstrong Stadium. She drew on years of experience and delivered brilliant drop shots at crucial moments to outdo the 19-year-old Brit. 

Raducanu had created history as the first qualifier to lift a Grand Slam title, but she barely made it as far as the second round in her last three Majors. She is now third on the list, topped by Angelique Kerber in 2017 and Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2005 - the only defending US Open champions who have lost in the first round. 

Cornet broke Raducanu to set up a 4-2 lead, followed by the Briton breaking in the next game. However, the Frenchwoman was 5-3 up soon and held her advantage as she served for the set. 

In the second set, Raducanu played at an increased pace looking to wrap it up early after breaking for a 3-1 lead. Unfortunately, she couldn't hold her ground and allowed Cornet to die back. 

Cornet broke Raducanu two more times, earning her a spot in the second round, where she would meet Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova.

Ashlyn Krueger thrashed by former No. 1 

American teen Ashlyn Krueger failed to make an impact as she lost to former number one Victoria Azarenka, who has entered the second round of her 15th US Open. 

Krueger, a qualifier, rallied from a set down but lost her momentum in the decider and eventually lost 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 to the two-time Major champion. Azarenka won the first set 6-1 in just 32 minutes as her deep, flat groundstrokes dominated her opponent's lack of experience.

When Azarenka reaped a 3-0 advantage in the second set, the match strongly leaned in her favour until Krueger decided to raise her level and seize the set. 

In the deciding set, Azarenka attracted a 4-2 lead, and the veteran broke Krueger's serve for the seventh time in the match to set up a next-round clash against Marta Kostyuk.

Azarenka was the runner-up at the US Open in 2020 and was world number 13 less than a year ago. In her previous hard-court appearance, she lost to 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in Cincinnati. 

However, Krueger, who caught fame only recently, has tremendous potential as her smooth service delivery and powerful groundstrokes are hard to ignore. 

The world number 190, Krueger appeared in her second Major after losing in the first round in the 2021 edition of the US Open. She has lost six consecutive first-round matches on the WTA Tour but challenged a former Slam titlist to three sets.

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