Defending champion Novak Djokovic groaned and grimaced but lives to fight another day after battling past Jerzy Janowicz in the US Open first round.
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Ivanovic, a former No. 1 player and 2008 French Open victor, has slipped to No. 31 in the rankings.
The year’s final grand slam got off to a glitzy Hollywood-style start, with a performance from Phil Collins to mark the arrival of the $150 million retractable roof at the stadium. “The only thing about me is the way I walk”.
It also came at a time when Novak Djokovic seemed virtually unbeatable – something that doesn’t seem so certain now.
Vesely inflicted a rare defeat on the Serb when he triumphed on clay at Monte Carlo in April.
But Tsonga’s countryman Benoit Paire, who was recently provisionally suspended by the French Tennis Federation due to his behavior at the Rio Olympics, was defeated 6-2 6-4 3-6 6-4 by Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.
A rested and motivated Djokovic isn’t going to lose to Vesely.
“It’s getting better and better each day”. One area, if he improves his second serve a little bit. He deserved it. He played well, will be very good in the future.
Djokovic suffered a wrist injury before the Rio Olympics, which he left in tears after losing to Juan Martin del Potro in the first round, and was then forced to pull out of the Cincinnati Masters.
Djokovic admitted before the season’s final grand slam that his injured wrist has not fully healed, and Monday he had to call for a trainer in the first set to treat his right arm. He repeatedly winced and shook out the arm, his serves far slower than usual.
At the Open, she has reached the fourth round or better five times, including a career-best quarterfinal run in 2012.
On his arm injury, Djokovic said: “It’s never easy to play at this level throughout the year”.
Vesely, 23, is now ranked 49th. “Conditions are quite suitable to my style”.
Opening ceremony featured award-winning actors Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon as well as former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and Flavia Pennetta, the shock victor of the US Open women’s title previous year.
Kvitova was in her trademark all-or-nothing mood, mixing up 31 winners with 30 unforced errors against her 26-year-old opponent, the first Turkish woman to play in the main draw at the tournament. Day, ranked 374th, got into the tournament as the victor of the USTA Girls’ 18s National Championships.
Meanwhile, Simona Halep gave herself “less than 9” for her quick work against Kirsten Flipkens, 6-0, 6-2, in the first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium even as countrywoman Nadia Comaneci cheered her on.
Nadal, meantime, has been bothered by the wrist since withdrawing before the third round at the French Open, a tournament he has won nine times. Now 17 and a qualifier, Bellis faces 49th-ranked Shelby Rogers on Tuesday.
Day next faces American eighth seed Madison Keys who beat compatriot Alison Riske 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 in a tie which ended at 1.48am, the latest finish to a women’s match in tournament history.
The only other British player in action on the first day was Kyle Edmund, who makes his way into shock of the day.
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Nadal and Seppi play the nightcap on Ashe. Fellow Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, the French Open champ, faces 48th-ranked Anastasija Sevastova to open the session.
