The US Open 2025 first round verged on drama with some players impressing with dominating performances while others had gritty comebacks, namely Alexander Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti, Tommy Paul, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Alex de Minaur, all of whom went through, albeit through different routes.
Zverev's entrance into the tournament ushered in the destruction of Alejandro Tabilo of Chile: 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-4. The Zverev serve has always been among the biggest weapons, and knowing Tabilo's resistance in the tiebreak of the second set did not shake the outlook of the German. With his serve so overpowering, there was never any doubt for Zverev right from beginning to end. With only one break by the third set, his path to the quarterfinals has truly been strengthened.
Bouncing back from adversity showed Musetti's character against French teen star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard as he prevailed 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Musetti's delightful backhand held the crowd through, with his strong net play and temperament that ultimately held ground. Taking the first set narrowly, he fell behind in the score for much of the following three crucial sets before breaking to claim advancement into the next phase.
Tommy Paul enjoyed the support of the Flushing Meadows crowd. Thoroughly dominating Denmark's Elmer Moller for a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win, Paul's footwork, stroke play, and backhand were so razor sharp that Moller could have no hope of establishing any foothold at any juncture, allowing Paul to open his Slam account and with a fantastic flourish.
Stefanos Tsitsipas pulled himself out of trouble against France's Alexandre Muller in the early throes. After losing the 1st set, the Greek responded with vengeance, dispatching the match 4-6, 6-0, 6-1, 7-6(5). While the 2nd and 3rd sets showcased artistic shot-making, in a taxing fourth set, Tsitsipas displayed a grappling consistency dictated by pressure. Nevertheless, Tsitsipas displayed the resilience to carry on against the strongest odds.
Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur displayed his hustling-and-court-covering signature once more as he delivered a straight-sets victory over fellow countryman Christopher O'Connell, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. The Australian was, by nature, counter-punching, displaying his opponent's lapses in concentration and building an avalanche of unforced errors. The encounter further stamps de Minaur as a torturous opponent on the tour, especially in the five-set match test.
Different storylines intertwined Zverev and Paul dominating, Musetti fought back, Tsitsipas fought inconsistency, and de Minaur just wore his opponents down. Different paths are all converging at the same destination, the 2nd round of the US Open, wherein the competition will be stiffened further.