Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

Not easy conditions for either player in this wind, but more errors are coming off Raducanu's racquet at the moment.

She's also been caught flat-footed twice in quick succession by beautifully-judged lobs. Certainly a skilful touch from Cornet in this breeze.

Every winning point for Raducanu is greeted by throaty cheers, with the misses met by gloomy groans.

The crowd are well behind her.

Alize Cornet stares at her team as the second of her three break points passes her by.

Just one more for Emma Raducanu to survive. No! The Briton goes long and it's advantage Cornet in this opening set.

Image source, Getty Images

Another sublime lob from Alize Cornet beats Emma Raducanu, who finds herself 0-30 behind on serve.

This is a big point... and it doesn't go the defending champion's way.

A missed forehand brings up three break points.

This is astonishing. Rinky Hijikata races to 40-0 to bring up his fourth set point with some fine, fine returns against Rafa Nadal.

He seals the set on his second set point and I don't think anyone on Arthur Ashe can believe what they are seeing.

Is an upset on the cards?

Image source, Getty Images

Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live

The frustration again building for Cornet - she has lost a few of these cat and mouse points up at the net now.

It's hard work out there in the humid conditions. Both players are working hard and have the sweat to prove it. Plenty of trips to the towels.

Raducanu eventually gets the better of Cornet at the net to reach 40-30, but an excellent lob from the Frenchwoman completes the job.

After some early nerves, the quality is beginning to shine through.

Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live

Raducanu is not causing enough damage on the first serve, she's not landing enough in.

This is good tennis from both players - but Cornet is again coming out on top more often than not.

Rinky Hijikata is to serve for the first set against Rafael Nadal on his Grand Slam main draw debut. A sentence most would not expect to read tonight.

Nadal needs to find another gear while Hijikata is clearly absolutely loving every second of this. He's only ever won one match on the ATP Tour, and that came because of a retirement.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

Remember Emma Raducanu's superstitions during her run last year?

Nightly trips to a frozen yoghurt spot and eating poke for dinner daily were rituals over the three weeks which she didn't want to change.

Tonight there are a couple of other familiar sights which we saw here 12 months ago.

Former British number one Tim Henman, who Raducanu used to exchange knowing looks with during key moments, is back courtside in his role as a television analyst.

And so too is Virginia Wade. The 78-year-old was Britain's last women's major champion before Raducanu - back in 1977 - and present for her successor's matches in the latter rounds last year.

A shake of the fist from Raducanu as she slams a satisfying forehand winner into the corner for 40-30.

It's followed by a big cheer from the defending champion as she too seals her first hold of serve.

Lovely shot! Alize Cornet lets rip with a two-handed backhand which flies down the line on the opening point of Emma Raducanu's service game.

Cornet then cracks a smile as Raducanu moves ahead following an entertaining exchange at the next, eventually managing to send the ball beyond her opponent after some great defence.

A double fault from Cornet, her second of the match, brings Raducanu into play at 30-30 - but the Briton can't increase the pressure as she pulls a backhand wide.

The French world number 40 gets the first hold of the contest as Raducanu races on to a drop shot but is just unable to lift it back over the net.

Well, well, well. We have the first break of serve - and it's not what you'll be expecting.

Rinky Hijikata celebrates like he's won the title as he takes the early advantage over Rafael Nadal, breaking his serve with brilliant play at the net.

Hijikata is impressing so far. The 21-year-old world number 198 is clearly not overawed by the experience, and is holding his own against 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

One of the most noticeable features of the US Open, especially on Armstrong, is the din during play.

The structure of the stadium sees an open concourse between the tiers and the noise from the punters, who are still grabbing greasy American classics like franks and fries, chicken tenders or tacos, drifts loudly onto court.

A couple of beeps - perhaps from a loading cart - put Cornet off in the first service game.

It must be tricky to get used to, although I remember asking Andy Murray once and he said he was able to block it out.

A loose game from Emma Raducanu, who misses with a backhand, and Alize Cornet is quickly back on level terms.

Some big hitting from both players, but Raducanu overhits as she tries to to bully Alize Cornet into submission.

Two break points for Cornet.

Emma Raducanu skews a forehand out of play to give Alize Cornet a 0-30 lead and hope of an immediate response.

But a superb serve keeps the Briton in touch.

Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live

Both players have come out firing - completely ready for this match. Sometimes you see signs of nerves, but not these two.

I said I was going to see how aggressive Raducanu is going to be - it is what she did so well last year.

Another chance for Emma Raducanu following an excellent return.

That's long from Cornet - and the defending champion is off to the perfect start in New York.

Cornet finds her first serve again to take charge and save the break point with a smash.

There's an annoying alarm going off every so often, but Cornet is able to overcome that to reach game point with a backhand.