US Open: Daniil Medvedev loses just two games as he coasts into US Open second round, Cameron Norrie also progresses

Daniil Medvedev lost just two games as he hammered Hungary’s Attila Balazs at the US Open to progress to the second round.

The 27-year-old world No. 3 was the winner in New York two years ago, and reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon earlier this year, and will hope to claim his second Grand Slam victory to challenge the current rankings duopoly set by Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.

With four hard-court tour-level titles to his name in 2023, Medvedev has shown the pedigree to win.

Balazs struggled from the off and took just two games in the first two sets as the Russian raced towards victory.

Medvedev enjoyed an even more one-sided contest in the third as he wrapped up his swift victory with a bagel, spending just one hour 17 minutes in action.

He played from deep for much of the match and kept the pressure up with just 13 unforced errors, and did not give his opponent a single break point.

“It is always good to start well,” Medvedev said. “I am happy with my performance. I am looking forward to the next matches and to play for as long as possible in New York.

“I hope I can play better and better each match as each one is going to be more difficult.”

Medvedev will next face Christopher O’Connell, who won his all-Australian clash with Max Purcell in four sets.

Later, on Court 11, Cameron Norrie defeated Alexander Shevchenko 6-3 6-2 6-2 as he enjoyed a relatively one-sided victory, ending a four-match losing streak.

Shevchenko forced just one break point – which he failed to convert – while Norrie regularly took his chances.

The 16th seed will face the winner of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Yu Hsiou Hsu.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev also made it through the next round when he defeated Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets on Court 17.

Zverev sent down a relentless 13 aces to keep his dominance on serve, and converted enough break points to carry him through as he won 6-4 6-4 6-4.

Matteo Berrettini got past world No. 29 Ugo Humbert, beating the Frenchman 6-4 6-2 6-2 on Court 5.

But Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman fell at the first hurdle, 6-3 6-4 6-2 to Arthur Rinderknech. No. 11 Karen Khachanov was another surprise loser, as home favourite Michael Mmoh won 6-2 6-4 6-2.