Day 2 of the 2025 US Open: Yuan Yue Narrowly Defeated, Shang Juncheng Retires Due to Injury, Wong Chak Lam Makes Hong Kong History Again

26/08/2025 14:15:00 pandatv

On August 25 local time, the first round of the 2025 US Open men's and women's singles main draw continued. Yuan Yue was defeated 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 by the 17th-seeded Samsonova; Shang Juncheng withdrew due to injury while trailing 6-7(0), 6-1, 3-6, 0-3, giving Berrettini the win and progression to the next stage.

Hong Kong player Wong Chak Lam, who advanced from the qualifiers, defeated local player Kovacevic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(4), securing the first-ever Grand Slam singles main draw victory for Hong Kong since the Open Era began!

Wong Chak Lam

Photo: Visual China

Yuan Yue, competing on Court 12, showed good form in this match. She took the first set 6-2 after breaking serve twice. In the second set, Samsonova intensified her return game, breaking early to lead 5-2. Although Yuan fought back hard, Samsonova managed to convert her second set point at serve to even the match at 6-4. The deciding set was fiercely contested, with both players battling through eight games without converting break points. In the ninth game, Yuan’s serve was broken, losing momentum. Despite earning a break point on Samsonova’s match point serve, Yuan was unable to capitalize and ultimately lost 4-6.

Yuan Yue

Photo: Visual China

In the match on Court 10, Shang Juncheng again suffered from injury. After playing through 6-7(0), 6-1, 3-6, 0-3 against Berrettini, he chose to retire. Following the match, Shang’s father posted photos on social media showing his son’s left foot injury, swollen and bruised, eliciting sympathy and well wishes for a speedy recovery and return during the China season.

Screenshot from Shang Juncheng’s father’s social media

There were major upsets recently in the women’s singles. Local 6th seed Keys struggled with excessive unforced errors and lost her opener after a tough three-set battle 7-6(10), 6-7(3), 5-7 to Mexican player Zarazua. In a highlight night match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, 11th seed Muchova defeated legendary Williams 6-3, 2-6, 6-1; 5th seed Mira Andreeva dominated local player Parks 6-0, 6-1; 9th seed Rybakina cruised past wildcard Pareja 6-3, 6-0; two-time Grand Slam champion Krejcikova eliminated Canadian rising star Mboko 6-3, 6-2. Additionally, Kvitova lost 1-6, 0-6 to Parry, and Garcia was defeated 4-6, 6-4, 3-6 by Rakhimova, both ending their professional careers.

Zarazua

Photo: Visual China

Rybakina

Photo: Visual China

On the men’s side, former champion and 2nd seed Alcaraz opened his campaign with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win over local favorite Opelka. 5th seed Draper had a minor challenge but prevailed 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-3 against qualifier Gomez; 9th seed Khachanov secured his first victory by defeating wildcard Basavareddy 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5, 6-1.

11th seed Rune won in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(2) over Van De Zandschulp; 12th seed Ruud defeated Ofner 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(5); 17th seed Tiafoe beat Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-3, all advancing smoothly. Additionally, Brazilian rising star Fonseca notched his first US Open win by beating Kaczmanovic 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-3.