Medvedev and Sabalenka face tricky tests in US Open first round

The U.S. Open's first round begins on Sunday with defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka looking to recapture top form, while former men's champion Daniil Medvedev faces a familiar foe whom he has failed to beat in previous meetings.

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: ARYNA SABALENKA V REBEKA MASAROVA

Sabalenka finally won the U.S. Open last year, after two semi-final exits then loss in the 2023 final. But defending the crown has proven tough for most, with the women's singles tournament producing 10 champions in the last 11 years.

The world number one's quest for a fourth Grand Slam win has also been plagued by disappointment as she lost in the finals of the Australian Open and the French Open this year, before bowing out from the semis in Wimbledon.

"I think it's a lot of pressure, definitely. Just because this place is so big, and it feels bigger than the other slams in some ways," said the 27-year-old, aiming to become the first player to defend the title in a decade.

Sabalenka will look for a quick win over Rebeka Masarova on Sunday, but may be in for a fight as her Swiss opponent forced a tiebreaker in the second set before going down in their first meeting in June.

The Belarusian said she was aware of the odds against her.

"I would love to finish the season with a Grand Slam and world number one. But if this goal is not to be, I'll still think this season has been really amazing," she said.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: DANIIL MEDVEDEV V BENJAMIN BONZI

The U.S. Open has been the Grand Slam of choice for Medvedev, with the three-time finalist winning his only major in New York in 2021.

But the 29-year-old Russian has struggled this year, losing in the first round at the French Open and Wimbledon after a second-round exit from the Australian Open.

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