The US Open lost two of tennis’ rising stars in the first round as Grigor Dimitrov and Jerzy Janowicz were sent packing.
Dimitrov, 25th seed, is yet to live up to his talent, with some standout victories accompanied by baffling losses. This fell into the latter category, with the 22-year-old Bulgarian going down 3-6 6-3 6-4 5-7 6-2 to world number 95 Joo Sousa.
Dimitrov twice fought back from a break down in the fourth set, but was outplayed in the decider.
Janowicz’s 6-4 6-4 6-2 defeat by Argentinian Maximo Gonzalez was even worse on paper, but he was hampered by a back injury that took away the power of his serve.
Janowicz called the trainer on to Court 13 during the second set, and although he recovered from 4-1 to 4-4, there was no way back.
The 14th seed would have hoped to do damage here after reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon, and his exit along with that of Ernests Gulbis on Monday makes the third section of the draw wide open.
Milos Raonic is also in that section and must fancy his chances of going a long way. The Canadian 10th seed beat Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano 6-3 7-6 (8-6) 6-3.
Asked if he feels he is ready to challenge at a grand slam, he said: “I think I can put myself in that position.
“I just have to make the opportunities and convert them. I think if I play well, I can get very close if not do it. It’s still a long way to go.”
In the women’s event, Petra Kvitova went the distance again as she moved into the second round with victory over Japan’s Misaki Doi on Arthur Ashe.
The seventh seed plays a remarkable number of three-setters and a second-set lapse cost her again here, although she recovered well in the decider to defeat Doi 6-2 3-6 6-1.
Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon champion, has been consistent only in her inconsistency this season. The Czech next meets Serbian Bojana Jovanovski, who put out Germany’s Andrea Petkovic 6-2 6-4.
Ana Ivanovic was the first winner of the day, the 13th seed thrashing Anna Tatishvili 6-2 6-0 in just 58 minutes.
Ivanovic split from British coach Nigel Sears after Wimbledon and is now working with Serbian pair Nemanja Kontic and Zlatko Novkovic and Sven Groeneveld through her sponsors, Adidas.
The former world No 1 had enjoyed good preparation for the US Open until a first-round defeat by Alize Cornet in Cincinnati.
Ivanovic said: “I’ve been playing really well and I had a few tough losses. It’s obviously hard, more so emotionally than anything else. I’m very confident with my game.
“I know I did a very good preparation. I have a new team with me. Obviously it takes time to get comfortable, to get things to work smoothly. I’m very happy at the way everything is.”
There were also comfortable wins for Maria Kirilenko and Roberta Vinci.