U.S. Open 2025: Draper holds off qualifier Gomez; Hong Kong’s Wong makes history

Britain’s Jack Draper overcame a third-set wobble to get his U.S. Open campaign off to a winning start on Monday, beating Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-2 in the first round.

The victory marked Draper’s first competitive singles match since his second-round exit at Wimbledon last month, and while he got off to a solid start, he was tested before securing the win in three hours.

Draper capitalised on his opponent’s inconsistency to take control in the match, breaking to love on his first opportunity before wrapping up the opening set.

He kept up the pressure in the second, breaking again and consolidating for a 3-1 lead, even threatening a double break in his next return game. But momentum slipped as Draper’s energy dipped and he faltered when serving for the set, his double fault presenting Gomez with a break point that the Argentine converted to level at 5-5.

Draper quickly shook it off, geeing himself up with shouts of encouragement before breaking back to restore his advantage and serve out the set. The third saw Draper continue to struggle on serve, and another double fault allowed Gomez to break at the first opportunity, consolidating for a 3-0 lead.

Despite Draper cancelling out the break, the set was then decided in a tiebreak, which the 28-year-old Gomez edged to keep his hopes alive.

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Draper regrouped in the fourth, forcing errors from the Argentine and taking advantage of two more breaks of serve to close out the match and advance to the second round where he will face Belgium’s Zizou Bergs.

HISTORY MADE

Coleman Wong became the first player from Hong Kong to win a Grand Slam men’s singles match since the Open era began in 1968.

Wong defeated American Aleksander Kovacevic in straight sets in the first round. He won 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (4) in just under 2 and a half hours.

The 21-year-old is ranked 173rd on the ATP Tour and was making his main draw Grand Slam debut. He had fallen short in qualifying at Flushing Meadows, the Australian Open and twice apiece at Wimbledon and the French Open.

Wong is set to face Adam Walton of Australia in the second round.

Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe provided the home fans some relief as he sent over 51 winners to beat Nishioka 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-3, closing out the afternoon programme on Ashe with his 19th ace.

The twice semifinalist joins fourth seed Taylor Fritz and sixth seed Ben Shelton in the second round, as they aim to become the first American man to lift the U.S. Open trophy in 22 years. He plays U.S. qualifier Martin Damm next.

(With inputs from AP)

Published on Aug 26, 2025