Zverev starts strong in New York, Ruud, Fritz advance

Alexander Zverev got off to a strong start at the US Open in New York on Monday as he defeated Maximilian Marterer 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2.

The 27-year-old German, Zverev sent down 21 aces and converted six of 16 break points he earned to wrap a two-hours and 53 minute victory on Grandstand and set a second-round clash with Adam Walton or Alexandre Muller.

With victory against his fellow German Marterer, Zverev improved to 15-3 at the majors this year.

Elsewhere, Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Matteo Berrettini and Ugo Humbert all enjoyed comfortable early victories on Monday in New York.

The 2022 finalist Ruud overcame Chinese qualifier Buyunchaokete 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2 to set a second-round clash against Gael Monfils or Diego Schwartzman.

Ruud has now racked up a 45-14 record for the season, including a 20-6 tally on hard courts.

Italy’s Berrettini booked his first tour-level win on hard courts for the season by defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-3. Berrettini, a former US Open semi-finalist who has this year lifted three ATP 250 clay-court crowns in Marrakech, Gstaad and Kitzbuhel, respectively, will next meet 12th seed Taylor Fritz. The No. 1 American in the PIF ATP Rankings downed Camilo Ugo Carabelli 7-5, 6-1, 6-2.

The 17th seed Humbert eased past Thiago Monteiro 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the second round for the third time in his career. Humbert, who is now 27-18 for the season, will take on Francisco Comesana next after the Argentine defeated Dominic Stricker 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3.

Ben Shelton overcame former champion Dominic Thiem – who was competing in his final US Open match – 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the second round.

Shelton lit up New York last year when he became the youngest American man to reach the semis at the hard-court major since Michael Chang in 1992. He will play Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round in New York.