Dane Sweeny has reached the US Open second round for the first time, continuing a remarkable rise from teenage fundraising efforts to the brink of the world’s top 100.
The 25-year-old Australian advanced at Flushing Meadows when Corentin Moutet retired while trailing 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 3-0. The victory was Sweeny’s second in a Grand Slam main draw, but his first outside the Australian Open. ([tennis.com.au](https://www.tennis.com.au/fan-zone/news/2026/09/02/schoolkate-sweeny-us-open-first-round-wins))
Sweeny had been due to play qualifying before a series of withdrawals allowed Alexei Popyrin to enter the main draw on his ranking, freeing up a reciprocal wildcard for his compatriot.
His reward is roughly $266,000 in prize money, taking his earnings for a career-best season to around $826,000. He has also won a match at the Australian Open and reached the Wimbledon main draw this year.
The Queenslander was twice broken in the opening set but recovered to force a tie-break and then took control. Moutet, the world No.62, was wearing strapping on his left arm and ended the contest after falling two sets behind and losing serve twice in the third.
Sweeny will next face 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated Britain’s Arthur Fery in straight sets. “I’m really excited to play Musetti,” Sweeny said. “It’s going to be a great match. He’s obviously one of the world’s best players, and I’m really excited to take it to him.”
His progress was celebrated by close friend Tristan Schoolkate, who also secured a place in the second round with a 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy.
Schoolkate, who fired 25 aces in a three-hour contest, has now reached the second round at the US Open for the third consecutive year. He and Sweeny have known each other since they were 10 and were former housemates.
“It’s really nice. I’m always rooting for the Aussie boys, and it’s nice to see a couple get over the line, especially Tristan,” Sweeny said. “We’ve known each other for so long.”
Schoolkate admitted he had been keeping track of Sweeny’s score during his own match, having seen the pair arrive at the tournament together in high spirits.
Australia now has seven players through to the second round of the US Open, with Sweeny and Schoolkate joining Taylah Preston, Kimberly Birrell, James Duckworth, Maya Joint and Popyrin. Schoolkate will next meet fifth-seeded Italian Flavio Cobolli. ([tennis.com.au](https://www.tennis.com.au/fan-zone/news/2026/09/02/schoolkate-sweeny-us-open-first-round-wins))
Play in New York was repeatedly interrupted by rain, delaying Alex de Minaur’s opening match against Italian qualifier Andrea Guerrieri until Thursday. Australia’s leading-ranked woman, Daria Kasatkina, was also left waiting to complete her match against Paula Badosa, trailing 6-1, 5-4 with the Spaniard serving for victory.
