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Reuters

The US Open second round kicks off on Wednesday, with Novak Djokovic pursuing his quest for a record 25th grand slam title, while women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka continues her title defence and home favourite Ben Shelton faces veteran Pablo Carreno Busta.
Another interesting tie features Britain’s Emma Raducanu and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen, who play at 11pm, Hong Kong time. Raducanu beat qualifier Ena Shibahara in the opening round for her first victory at the tournament since winning the title in 2021.
Tjen beat No 24 seed Veronika Kudermetova of Russia on Sunday to make the second round.
Also on the programme on Wednesday in New York is the match between the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala and Spain’s Cristina Busca.
Eala, who is a close friend of Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong Chak-lam beat No 14 seed Clara Tauson on Sunday to become the first player from the Philippines to win a grand slam match in the Open era.

Novak Djokovic v Zachary Svajda
A 25th major title has eluded Novak Djokovic at the past seven slams. If the 38-year-old fails to win the US Open, he will complete two calendar years without a grand slam title for the first time since 2010.
On paper, the Serbian got off to a decent start, beating Learner Tien in straight sets. But the 19-year-old forced a tiebreaker in the second set as Djokovic struggled with a right foot blister.
“Yeah, it’s slightly a concern. I don’t know. I don’t have any injury or anything. I just struggled a lot to stay in long exchanges and recover after points,” Djokovic said after the win.
“There was quite a bit of tension on the court, playing a young American. I had to deliver my A-game, which I did, I think, in the first set. Particularly in the second, it was surviving on the court.”
Djokovic is set to face another young American in the second round, and it remains to be seen if the 22-year-old Zachary Svajda can cause problems for the veteran.

Aryna Sabalenka v Polina Kudermetova
Three-time grand slam winner Aryna Sabalenka said it took her some time to get going when she began her title defence against Rebeka Masarova with a 7-5, 6-1 win on Sunday.
“I feel like I didn’t start my best in the first game, but then I found my rhythm,” the 27-year-old said.
Sabalenka faced her second-round opponent Polina Kudermetova at the Brisbane International in January, where the world No 1 lost the first set before bouncing back to win.
Kudermetova, 22, will be relatively fresh coming into Wednesday’s clash after her first-round opponent Nuria Parrizas-Diaz rolled her ankle and had to retire just 24 minutes into the match.
Shelton faces battle at home
Ben Shelton believes it is only a matter of time before an American wins the US Open men’s singles tournament again to end a drought that stretches back to Andy Roddick’s victory in 2003. And the 2023 semi-finalist remains one of the prime contenders to do it.
“Starting to feel like home for me. This is the best court in tennis. It’s my favourite place to play, favourite court, favourite tournament,” Shelton said after his first-round win.
But the 22-year-old sixth seed, who began his campaign with a straight-sets win over qualifier Ignacio Buse, now faces Pablo Carreno Busta, who has played his best tennis at Flushing Meadows, at 8.10am on Thursday, HK time.
The 34-year-old reached the US Open semi-finals twice before considering retirement in 2023 because of persistent elbow pain. He made a comeback the following year after surgery.
Carreno Busta put up a fight when he played Shelton at the Australian Open in January, winning the third set in a tiebreak before the American claimed victory.


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US Open (tennis)

US Open: Philippines’ Alexandra Eala, Indonesia’s Tjen join big guns to start second round

Filipino Alexandra Eala beat Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the first round of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Photo: dpa

Indonesian Janice Tjen knocked out 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova of Russia on Sunday. Photo: AP

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic struggled with a foot blister against Learner Tien of the US. Photo: Kyodo

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Coleman Wong is preparing for his second-round match in New York. Photo: Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Coleman Wong will play again on Wednesday. Photo: Facebook / Wong Chak Lam, Coleman

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Sport

Tennis

Filipino Eala will battle Spain’s Cristina Busca, while Indonesian Tjen faces former champion Emma Raducanu in New York


Filipino Eala will battle Spain’s Cristina Busca, while Indonesian Tjen faces former champion Emma Raducanu in New York.


US Open: Philippines’ Alexandra Eala, Indonesia’s Tjen join big guns to start second round

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Filipino Eala will battle Spain’s Cristina Busca, while Indonesian Tjen faces former champion Emma Raducanu in New York

Filipino Eala will battle Spain’s Cristina Busca, while Indonesian Tjen faces former champion Emma Raducanu in New York