Qualifier Brandon Holt, son of former two-time US Open champion Tracy Austin, made a memorable grand slam main draw debut on Monday by staging an upset 6-7(3), 7-6(1), 6-3, 6-4 win over fellow-American 10th seed Taylor Fritz. Holt, who turned professional in 2020, was not even sure if he could continue playing tennis when he needed career-threatening surgery on his hand last year. “I started the year ranked like 900-something after having an injury in my hand. I was out for like eight months. I basically had to start from scratch down there,” Holt told reporters.
Holt said he did not exactly remember the advice he received from his mother, who won the US Open in 1979 and 1981. “I think mom said just ‘go have fun’,” Holt added.
Indian connection
Alison Riske-Amritraj moved into the second round, defeating wildcard Eleana Yu 6-2, 6-4 on Monday. Alison, seeded 29th, is married to Stephen Amritraj, son of Anand and nephew of Vijay Amritraj, a two-time quarter-finalist at Wimbledon. Anand and Vijay were part of the Davis Cup team that reached the finals in 1974. Anand was also part of the Davis Cup team in 1987 which upset Australia to reach the finals for a second time.
Chinese cheer
Qualifier Wu Yibing gave China reason to cheer when he became the first man from the country in 63 years to win a men’s grand slam match after he beat Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 in the first round.
Andreescu apology
Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu apologised to her sponsor Nike for an oncourt outburst after her choice of wardrobe for Monday’s first-round match landed her in a spot of bother amid windy conditions.
