The 2025 US Open opened in New York with four-time champion Novak Djokovic navigating a testing return to competition, defeating 19-year-old American Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2. The 38-year-old Serb, who required physio attention for a foot blister, extended his record to 75 straight first-round Grand Slam wins and collected his 80th match victory inside Arthur Ashe Stadium as he resumes his pursuit of a 25th major title. Home hopes started brightly. No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz, last year’s runner-up, eased past compatriot Emilio Nava 7-5, 6-2, 6-3, while sixth-seed Ben Shelton dispatched Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Shelton, winner of the Toronto Masters earlier this month, improved to 16-0 in majors when taking the opening two sets. Former champion Emma Raducanu also progressed, registering her first victory at Flushing Meadows since lifting the trophy in 2021. The British No. 1 overwhelmed Japan’s Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2 in just 62 minutes—the fastest Grand Slam win of her career—to set up a second-round meeting with Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen. First-round play continues on Monday, with second seed Carlos Alcaraz and other top contenders set to join the draw as the season’s final major gets fully under way.