Defending champion Raducanu crashes out of US Open as Nadal survives scare

Emma Raducanu became only the third defending champion to exit the US Open in the first round on Tuesday while four-time winner Rafael Nadal overcame an early scare against a player ranked 198 in the world.

Raducanu, 19, slumped to a 6-3, 6-3 defeat to veteran French player Alize Cornet who is competing in a record 63rd consecutive Grand Slam.

Nadal saw off Australian wild card Rinky Hijikata 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 to register his 65th career win in New York.

Also going through to a politically-charged clash were three-time runner-up Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine.

Raducanu has struggled in the spotlight of being a Grand Slam winner, failing to get beyond the second round of any of the previous three majors in 2022.

.@alizecornet is victorious in Armstrong!She defeats Raducanu, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to Round 2. pic.twitter.com/RHAd0zCBxv

"In a way I'm happy because it's a clean slate. The target will be off my back," said the teenager.

World number three Nadal, who is chasing a 23rd Grand Slam title and third of 2022, arrived at the tournament having played just one match since an abdominal injury forced him to forfeit his Wimbledon semi-final.

HOLY MATCH POINT RAFA pic.twitter.com/sHsyYmPBAK

'Never be back'

He next faces Fabio Fognini, the Italian who famously defeated him from two sets down in the third round of the US Open in 2015.

"I'm very happy to be here. It's a long time that I played here. I thought that maybe I'd never be back," said 36-year-old Nadal whose last appearance in New York saw him win the 2019 title.

Two-time champion Naomi Osaka was knocked out in the opening round for the first time in seven visits, losing 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins.

Four-time major winner