US Open: the unexpected end of an ATP star’s career and a big disappointment for the Dane

The first day of the US Open was eventful. Many favourites fulfilled their role and advanced to the next battles at the New York Grand Slam. But Denmark’s Holger Rune said a surprising farewell to the tournament and the former world number eight made his debut here.

• The opening day of the US Open saw many of the favourites advance
• Surprisingly, Holger Rune says goodbye
• Schwartzman plays his last career match in New York

He wasn’t the favorite in this matchup of two veteran players, but he was definitely the hero. After the former number eight player announced the end, of his professional career, he drew a lot of attention to himself.

Argentine Diego Schwartzman was no match for Gael Monfils in the incriminated match. The South American tennis player was happy to qualify at the last Grand Slam. He failed to do so at the previous ones this year.

The former world number eight fell to the third hundred of the rankings and announced the end of his career at the age of thirty-two. Schwartzman triumphed in four ATP tournaments during his career. At Grand Slams, his best finish is the semifinals of the French Open. In New York, he was twice in the quarterfinals and will not add another success here.

“I’m tired and I can’t be the player I used to be anymore,” the Buenos Aires native said . Monfils became one of the players to advance on Monday.

Many of the other favourites also succeeded. Djokovic, Zverev and home favourites Shelton, Fritz and Tiafoe all advanced to the second round. Czech fans were delighted with the turnaround of Jiri Lehecka, who improved his performance after losing the first set and dominated the shortened match. His opponent Fucsovics called the match off in the fourth set.

Rune’s short

The performance and result of Dane Rune was very disappointing. The twenty-one year old did not follow up a good week at the Masters in Cincinnati and lost smoothly to the home team’s Nakashima.

Rune, who was once considered to have similar promise to Alcaraz or Sinner, did not win a set on Monday. He overcame nineteen winners with thirty unforced errors and, like last year, bids farewell to the final major of the season in the first round.

The tennis player, who last year basked in the fourth place of the ranking, cannot count on getting closer to this position. Rather, he has to worry about his position in the middle of the world’s top ten.

Source: ATP, Express