Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina opened his United States Open campaign with confidence, defeating Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in straight sets and signaling his intent to push deep into the tournament. The Spaniard showed sharp groundstrokes, clever defense, and the kind of aggressive accuracy on serve that has marked his rise this season, pulling away at key moments to secure a 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 win. The victory adds another high-quality result to his recent run of strongly contested matches and sets up a potential second-round clash against another American in the lineup.
In Washington, a recent finalist in the Masters 1000 circuit, Fokina demonstrated not just stamina but a tactical maturity that allowed him to calm nerves on the larger stage of New York. He repeatedly pressed his opponent, worked the angles, and kept the ball low on the backhand wing, making it difficult for Nishioka to find easy rhythm. By staying proactive behind the serve and returning with intent, Davidovich kept his opponent off balance, forcing errors at crucial points and earning the most of pivotal rallies that often decide close sets at Grand Slam level.
When the match shifted to the middle and late stages, Fokina’s approach paid dividends as he navigated a handful of service games with precision, even as the crowd grew louder and the pressure intensified. His tactical choices—mixing pace with placement, staying aggressive on second serves, and finishing points at the net when the opportunity presented itself—helped him avoid getting bogged down in longer exchanges that favor his opponent. The effort illustrated why the Spaniard remains a contender capable of challenging the sport’s top-tier players on hard courts during the season’s marquee events.
Davidovich will learn his fate in round two when he faces the winner of the match between the Americans in contention. The anticipated clash could feature Maxime Cressy or Martin Fucsovics, a pairing that would test Fokina’s movement and power from both ends of the court in different stylistic ways. Regardless of the path, the matchup will be a meaningful gauge for where he stands among the crop of players contending for a deep run in New York.
Meanwhile in New York, Roberto Bautista, ranked world number 18, bowed out in the first round after a three-set battle that culminated in a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 loss to American Jeffrey Wolf, who sits at number 87 in the world rankings. It was a tightly fought affair in which both players found their moments, but Wolf’s decisiveness in key games and his willingness to attack the Bautista serve ultimately tipped the balance in front of a home crowd ready to cheer the local hopefuls. Bautista had previously delivered his best result in the city by reaching the fourth round at this event, and his defeat came in a contest decided by small margins and a few well-executed returns that kept the scoreboard moving in Wolf’s favor.
In a match that showcased patience and resilience, Bautista pushed through several long rallies, showcasing his competitive spirit even as he fell short in the decisive moments. The American audience witnessed a performance that underscored the level of competition at this stage of a Grand Slam, where slight differences in consistency and nerve can determine the outcome of a set or a match. Bautista’s early exit adds a note of caution for other international contenders who must adapt quickly to the pace and intensity that characterize the U.S. Open’s opening rounds.
Spaniard Bernabé Zapata, who entered New York with momentum after a strong run that included a notable performance in the European clay season and a breakout appearance in the top 100, found the city’s pressure too much against Tommy Paul. Zapata fell in a grueling three-hour battle that extended to five sets. The final scoreline read 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-0, 7-5 in favor of Paul, a result that reflected the demanding nature of the Open’s early rounds, where fitness, focus, and the ability to shift gears quickly can decide a match on the edge of exhaustion. Zapata had shown that he could hang with powerful hitters and persistent defenders during the season, but this time the margins did not tilt his way in the decisive moments of the fifth set.
What stood out across the Spaniards in contention is their ascent into the sport’s upper echelons. Fokina, who has already made a mark by reaching the fourth round at Roland Garros this year, demonstrated in New York that he can combine endurance with strategic aggression. His progress reflects a broader trend among rising Spanish talents who continue to build on a tradition of technical refinement and mental toughness, shaping a new generation of players capable of competing with the best on the world stage. As the tournament progresses, the expectations for these players are rising, and the pressure of major events will likely sharpen their games even more.
The United States Open will continue in New York through early September, with many top-ranked players from Spain and beyond looking to leave a lasting imprint on one of tennis’s most storied events. Names such as Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Paula Badosa, and Garbiñe Muguruza have been noted for potential appearances throughout the tournament, and fans anticipate a week of intense action, dramatic comebacks, and bold upsets as the field narrows toward the business end of the event. The week ahead promises high-quality tennis, with each match offering a chance to witness emerging talents and established stars alike in a shared moment of competition and sportsmanship.