NEWPORT, Rhode Island — Sam Groth saved a match point before beating American qualifier Austin Krajicek 6-7 (3), 7-6 (2), 6-3 on Tuesday and setting up what should be a big-serving duel against top-seeded John Isner, a two-time champion at the Hall of Fame tournament.
Groth had 23 aces and 13 double faults in his tournament opener, while Isner had a bye into the second round.
Australian qualifier Matthew Ebden beat two-time champion Rajeev Ram 6-1, 6-4 to move into a second-round match against sixth-seeded Lukas Lacko, who beat Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7), 6-4.
Konstantin Kravchuk and Frank Dancevic each upset a seeded opponent in the first round of the grass court competition. Kravchuk beat No. 5 Victor Estrella Burgos 6-4, 6-4 and Dancevic eliminated No. 7 Tennys Sandgren 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2. Akira Santillan, a 20-year-old Australian, closed out his first ATP main-draw match win with an ace in a 6-1, 6-2 result against Michael Mmoh.
US Open to top $50m
in prize money
This year's US Open will become the first tennis tournament to top $50 million in prize money following a nine percent increase in the total purse, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) said on Tuesday.
Winners of the men's and women's singles titles will each earn $3.7 million, while runners-up will pocket $1.825 million from the $50.4 million total pot.
The men’s and women’s doubles champion teams will each earn $675,000, also the highest in US Open history. The qualifying tournament for the season's final grand slam will offer more than $2.9 million in prize money, a 49.2 percent increase from 2016.
"Five years ago, we committed to the players that total player compensation for players would reach $50 million at the U.S. Open, and we are honoring that commitment,” USTA President Katrina Adams said in a statement.
"In addition to unprecedented prize money increases, players also will see a host of new amenities at this year’s tournament including upgrades to player dining, a more generous meal allowance, upgrades to all player workout facilities, and additional quiet room space.
"Our goal is to make every experience at the US Open, whether for the players, our fans, or our partners, the best, world-class experience possible." The US Open runs from Aug. 28 to Sept. 10 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows, New York. — Agencies