Key events
Francesca Jones is having a pretty tough time. She’s serving while down 0-5, and Lys has set point … she wins it as Jones nets a forehand. Jones celebrated reaching the top 100 for the first time last month but is feeling the brutality of the top level here.
Harris overdoes it with a drop shot and Auger-Aliassime capitalises – set point. He converts it, too, with Harris landing a forehand well wide. Auger-Aliassime takes the first set 6-4.
Harris has a chance to break against Auger-Aliassime but the 25th seed manages to hold, the game sealed with a deft volley, his lead 5-4. There’s not a great deal separating these two at the moment – they’re level on winners and not far off in terms of unforced errors.
Francesca Jones is down a break against Eva Lys, who has produced career-best runs in the other three slams this year, her best effort a fourth-round finish in Australia. Lys leads 3-0 in the first set.
Auger-Aliassime holds to love before Harris goes up 30-0 after a 15-shot rally, and Auger-Aliassime fires wide with a forehand return. It’s another love hold, taking the first set to 4-4.
Harris breaks Auger-Aliassime thanks to a double fault, with the Canadian leading 3-2. Harris’ confidence grows as he races to a 40-0 lead, and a deep forehand forces a long backhand from Auger-Aliassime. 3-3, and the seeded player is feeling some heat.
Harris is forced to deuce but is finally on the board as Auger-Aliassime leads 3-1. There’s another Brit in action on Court 6, with qualifier Francesca Jones meeting Eva Lys.
Hello again, friends. There’s British representation over on Stadium 17, with Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime taking on Billy Harris, a lucky loser. The 30-year-old enjoyed the best slam display of his career when he made it to the second round of the Wimbledon this year. Auger-Aliassime, the 25th seed, has moved to a 3-0 lead in the first set.
That’s all from me – Taha is back! Good night.
Anisimova beats Birrell: 6-3, 6-2
Job done for the No 8 seed.
“It felt great – first matches are not easy to get used to the rhythm,” Iga Swiatek said after thrashing Emiliana Arango 6-1, 6-2 in the first round earlier. “It was a solid match. I am happy I wasn’t trying to overpower.”
Is she happy to see all the Polish fans?
“Polish fans are kind of everywhere. It’s super-nice to feel the support always … it’s great. But I also appreciate people who come from different countries.”
Swiatek lost
Tumaini Carayol
During the typically chaotic media day before Wimbledon in June, Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper were working through their commitments when they briefly crossed paths in the broadcast media mixed zone. As they warmly greeted each other, Sinner looked his good friend up and down, and a smile spread across his face: “Always stronger,” he said, jokingly flexing both arms.
Draper, who responded with a sheepish, embarrassed laugh, has heard such observations many times in recent months. At the same time that he has risen up the rankings over the past 15 months, transforming himself into one of the best in the world, he has become one of the most physically strong players on the ATP Tour.
Maya Joint’s extraordinary 2025 success story has begun its latest chapter on another positive note with the fearless Australian youngster successfully negotiating her opening US Open clash at Flushing Meadows.
What do you think of Alcaraz’s new barnet? It’ll grow back.
In the women’s singles, the seeded players yet to take to the court are as follows:
Ashlyn Krueger v Sofia Kenin (26)
Laura Siegemund v Diana Shnaider (20)
Ekaterina Alexandrova (13) v Anastasija Sevastova
What’s coming up in the men’s and women’s singles? Good question.
Felix Auger Aliassime is up against Billy Harris on Court 17 imminently.
Alex de Minaur (8) is facing his Australian Chris O’Connell a bit later, and Stefanos Tsitsipas (26) v Alexandre Müller will be lighting up Court 7.
“It feels great to be back here, it’s a very special tournament, the last grand slam of the year, the atmosphere is always amazing, thanks to everyone for coming, for cheering and supporting,” says Sinner.
“I’m feeling healthy again [after illness in Cincinatti] … we did our best to be in the best possible shape … let’s see what’s coming.
“Amazing memories,” he says of winning last year. “A lot of emotions coming back to this grand slam. [But] Every day is different.”
‘I’m very happy to be back here.”
Sinner was “under absolutely no pressure whatsoever” observes one of the commentators.
“One way traffic from start to finish,” chips in Tim Henman. “Sinner looking so comfortable, so confident.”
Sinner beats Kopriva: 6-1, 6-1, 6-2
Les jeux sont faits.
Fun fact: In 2021, Kopriva beat Denis Shapovalov in the second round at the Swiss Open. That is his one win against a top-10 player.
Kopriva lost 6-1 6-2 6-2 to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon last year.
Sinner 6-1, 6-1, 5-2 *Kopriva (*denotes next server)
A glimmer for Kopriva at 0-30. Sinner wins an imperious point next up, and it looks like the danger will soon be over, but then Kopriva wins a long rally thanks to a drop shot and a handsome cross-court winner with Sinner coming to the net. Two break points, but very quickly it’s back to deuce, and the Italian wastes one advantage, but makes no such mistake next up. This really is some of the lowest-key tennis I’ve seen in a long time, based on how much bother Kopriva is causing Sinner, ie zero.
*Sinner 6-1, 6-1, 4-2 Kopriva (*denotes next server)
A precious hold for Kopriva. Are you watching/reading? Mail me.
Francisco Cerundolo, the No 19 seed, leads Matteo Arnaldi 3-1 in their fifth and deciding set over on Court 7.
Sinner 6-1, 6-1, 4-1 *Kopriva (*denotes next server)
Kopriva seems to be mishitting everything. Seems like a case of stagefright, or is there some other bizarre, unknown reason behind this meltdown?
*Sinner 6-1, 6-1, 3-1 Kopriva (*denotes next server)
At 15-30, Kopriva miscues horribly with a regulation stroke from the back of the court and it’s two break points for Sinner. Then he double faults, handing his illustrious opponent a very easy game. Sinner isn’t having to do much here, and he should be safely through shortly.
I can’t even tell you the fun fact about Kopriva hailing from the same Czech town as Petra Kvitova, as I see Taha already mentioned it.
Sinner 6-1, 6-1, 2-1 *Kopriva (*denotes next server)
A regulation hold for Sinner, to -15, and it remains on serve in the third set.
Jack Draper is now pictured, having a hit on one of the back courts, following his win yesterday against the big-hitting Federico Agustín Gómez.
Draper faces Zizou Bergs, the world No 48, of Belgium in the second round on Thursday.
Thanks Taha. Hi all. Kopriva holds, and it’s 1-1 in the third set.
Luke McLaughlin is going to step in while I steal a break. Keep him company.
Amanda Anisimova is seeded eighth and up against Australia’s Kimberly Birrell. They’re 1-1 in the opening set, Anisimova looking to build on her run to the final of Wimbledon. That last match in south London was a brutal experience but this is her home slam … and, well, look at that – she races through a hold to lead 2-1.
Sinner skips to the net, dictating the point to leave Kopriva stretching for a forehand and on the floor. The No 1 has two set points, and Kopriva provides a double fault. Sinner leads 6-1, 6-1 with just over an hour on the board.
Kopriva hails from Fulnek in the Czech Republic and grew up in the same area as Petra Kvitova, who bowed out of the professional game yesterday. Sinner isn’t bothered about the backstory, though; relentless, he breaks once again and leads 4-1 in the second set.
Sinner is already up a break in the second set but Kopriva delivers a love hold, closed out with successive aces. The Italian leads 6-1, 2-1.
