A teenage star has announced herself on the world stage while Alexei Popyrin made a big stride toward another showdown with Novak Djokovic in a bright start to the US Open for the Australian contingent.
At just eighteen, Maya Joint, who recently switched her nationality to her father’s home country of Australia after growing up in Michigan, delivered a stunning performance by defeating seasoned German player Laura Siegemund.
There were nervous moments, but the third-youngest player in the draw ground out a 6-4, 7-5 win in her first-ever appearance in the main draw of a major tournament.
It was a huge victory for the Aussie over the former world No.27 after finishing last year just inside the top 800.
Her win now propels her to No.107 in the live rankings and more than doubled her career on-court earnings in a single day.
The US-born talent overcame some second-set nerves trying to close out the most significant win of her career, letting a 5-0 lead and one match point slip at 4-5 on Siegemund’s serve.
Much to her joy and relief, Joint steadied to prevail on her fourth match point with a backhand volley winner.
Win or lose next up against American 14th seed Madison Keys or Czech Katerina Siniakova, Joint will leave Flushing Meadows at least $US130,000 ($A192,000) richer for her efforts.
Maya Joint, the third youngest player at the US Open, has celebrated a win on debut at her first grand slam tournament
Laura Siegemund of Germany has a career high of 27 and fought hard but could not overcome her opponent who was almost half her age
Meanwhile Popyrin is refusing to let his mind wander after marching ominously ever closer to a blockbuster US Open showdown with defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Popyrin lived up to his star billing to be the first Australian winner on day one at Flushing Meadows before being quickly joined in round two by exciting teenage prospect Maya Joint.
Popyrin cruised past Sonwoon Kwon without even hitting top gear, the recently crowned Montreal Masters champion eventually progressing with a 7-5 6-2 6-3 win in a tick over two hours.
Seeded for the first time at a slam, Popyrin crunched 14 aces, broke the South Korean six times while only dropping his own serve once all match.
Victory edged the 25-year-old to within one more win of a likely third-round Saturday night showstopper with the history-chasing Djokovic.
Popyrin next faces either unseeded Spaniard Pedro Martinez or Polish qualifier Maks Kasnikowski on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).
Chasing an unprecedented 25th singles major, Djokovic will open his campaign later on Monday (Tuesday AEST) as a prohibitive favourite to advance against Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.
‘I feel like I’ve had a lot of scenarios in my career where I had one more match, and then I would play a big match so I’ve kind of gotten used to focusing on the match that I’ve got in hand,’ Popyrin said.
‘And then if I win that, then, yeah, obviously I’ve got Novak in the third.
‘But, honestly, I’m just thinking of of of this match and not thinking about Novak.’
Alexei Popyrin has a history of having his path through grand slams blocked by champion Novak Djokovic
The Aussie will again meet Novak in the third round at Flushing Meadows if he can progress that far following his opening round win
The 28th-seeded Popyrin and 18-year-old Joint led the way as Australia’s bumper 20-strong contingent made a hot start to tennis’s final slam of the year.
Another of Australia’s record six women’s qualifiers, Kim Birrell earlier bowed out with a 6-4 6-4 loss to Paris Olympics silver medallist Donna Vekic, the 24th seed.
Despite the defeat, Birrell will herself depart with a cheque for $US100,000 ($A147,575) – the biggest prize in tennis history for a first-round loser at a major.
Fellow qualifier Priscilla Hon, 2022 quarter-finalist Ajla Tomljanovic, along with Rinky Hijikata and Adam Walton were all scheduled to play later on day one.
Hon has an exciting opportunity against world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning back-to-back Australian Open champion in the feature women’s night match on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Tomljanovic is up against American qualifier Ann Li.
Hijikata – who made an inspired run to the second week last year as a wildcard – plays Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Walton faces Alexandre Muller, both hoping to join Popyrin in the men’s second round.
Another 13 Australians play on day two, including 10th seed Alex de Minaur opening his campaign against American Marcos Giron.
