World number one Iga Swiatek was made to work hard to beat lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova in the US Open first round.
Poland’s Swiatek was not at her best in a 6-4 7-6 (8-6) victory that took just under two hours on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Swiatek, champion in New York in 2022, made her trademark quick start, racing out to a 4-0 first-set lead, but Rakhimova rescued a break before Swiatek served it out.
The top seed went up an early break in the second set but her frustration was evident when she swiped angrily at a ball after a long forehand gave the break back.
Rahkimova, who lost in the final round of qualifying, kept in touch with Swiatek and had three set points in the tie-break to force a decider.
However, Swiatek upped her aggression when it mattered to secure victory and set up a second-round meeting with Japan’s Ena Shibahara.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek won her third successive French Open title in June and secured an emotional Olympic bronze medal last month.
However, she has only gone beyond the fourth round once in six appearances in New York – and that was when she won the title two years ago.
“At the beginning [it was] good but then I got a little bit tight and my opponent used that, so I was trying to get back to my game,” Swiatek said.
“I’m pretty sure that day by day I’m going to get more rhythm.”
‘I feel I’ve had enough attention for a lifetime’
Eleventh seed Danielle Collins, making her final Grand Slam singles appearance, was beaten 1-6 7-5 6-4 by fellow American Caroline Dolehide.
Collins, runner-up at the Australian Open in 2022, went on a stunning run earlier this season but was unable to find that form at her home Grand Slam.
The 30-year-old will have another shot at a trophy in the women’s doubles alongside Caroline Garcia and said she had requested not to have any on-court presentation after her final match at Flushing Meadows.
“I’ve struggled with feeling guilt around success, and that’s something I have had to work on,” Collins explained.
“I’m not great, honestly, at having an all-about-me moment. I would prefer to do something like that maybe in private.
“I feel like I’ve gotten enough attention to last a lifetime.”
Another American, Shelby Rogers, also ended her singles career on Tuesday as she lost 6-4 6-3 to sixth seed and title contender Jessica Pegula.
Elsewhere, former Wimbledon champion and fourth seed Elena Rybakina claimed a straightforward 6-1 7-6 (7-1) victory over Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava.
Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, who lost in the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year, had to battle back from a set down to beat 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-4.
Former French Open finalist Karolina Muchova advanced with a 6-3 7-5 win over home hope Katie Volynets, while former world number one Caroline Wozniacki thrashed Japan’s Nao Hibino 6-0 6-1 in just 53 minutes.
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva also made light work of her opening match, beating Camila Osorio 6-2 7-6 (7-4).
There were upsets, however, for 2021 runner-up Leylah Fernandez, who lost 2-6 6-4 7-5 to Anastasia Potapova, and French 28th seed Caroline Garcia, beaten 6-1 6-4 by world number 92 Renata Zarazua of Mexico.