James Duckworth has produced a first-round upset at the US Open, defeating Italy’s 30th seed Matteo Arnaldi in four sets at Flushing Meadows.
The Australian recovered from losing the opening set to win 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (10-8), securing his first victory at the New York Grand Slam since 2022.
Arnaldi, who reached the semi-finals of the French Open earlier this year, made the stronger start but Duckworth gradually took control. The 34-year-old levelled the match before moving ahead with a dominant third set.
The Italian forced a tense tie-break in the fourth, but Duckworth held his nerve to convert his opportunity and complete the victory in the first-round clash.
Duckworth arrived in New York in confident form after reaching the semi-finals at last week’s ATP tournament in Winston-Salem. His success against Arnaldi also means he has won a main-draw match at all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single season for the first time.
The result sees Duckworth advance to the second round of the US Open, while Arnaldi’s campaign ends at the opening hurdle.
