Aryna Sabalenka wins the coin toss and elects to serve.

Despite her recent struggles, Sabalenka has the opportunity to make history at Flushing Meadows.

Victory would see her become the first woman to defend the title since Serena Williams in 2014.

"I have learned a lot of tough lessons this season in the Grand Slams," Sabalenka said.

"Maybe every defending champion comes and puts so much pressure on themselves.

"I feel like I'm experienced enough to just focus on myself and try to replicate that result."

Image source, Getty Images

Next up, defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka begins her title defence against Rebeka Masarova.

Sabalenka may be top seed, but she arrives in New York at the end of a tough year.

The three-time Grand Slam winner has not won a major since beating Jessica Pegula in the 2024 US Open final.

This year the 27-year-old lost the finals of the Australian and French Opens, before exiting Wimbledon at the semi-final stage.

Sabalenka was out of sorts at the WTA 1,000 event in Cincinnati, playing erratically as she scraped past Emma Raducanu before being outclassed by Elena Rybakina.

Ben Shelton on his plans for his two days off: "A lot of practice. There are a lot of things I need to get better [at] and clean up if I want to make a run in this tournament. It's step-by-step.

"Two days off, I'll have some free time. My girlfriend took the red-eye from California to be here tonight so... we are here for the long haul and I'm just looking forward to it."

Ben Shelton on coming in to the tournament in good form: "For us, we take it one step at a time and try to get better every day. As soon as you start looking ahead of yourself you stumble over your own feet so for me it's one day at a time, one match at a time and I am just grateful to be out here.

"For me, just the experience of playing this tournament is enough. I'm happy to come back here every year. This is the one, this is the pinnacle of tennis for me and what I dreamed about as a kid."

Simple as you like for Taylor Fritz in that second set.

The fourth seed breaks his compatriot twice, making just four unforced errors throughout.

Nava, by contrast, made 12 - including a wayward backhand on Fritz's break point to give him the second set.

Ben Shelton speaking to Sky Sports: "It's starting to feel like home for me, this is the best court in tennis. It's my favourite place to play, my favourite court and favourite tournament.

"On the opening day there are always nerves but I'm really I came out here and you guys get to see me do my thing and I'm really appreciative of everyone who came out.

And that's the difference really, isn't it?

Taylor Fritz goes a break up in this second set, punishing Emilio Nava for a pretty ragged service game.

Nava's done very little wrong in this match but Fritz has been ruthless in exploiting those opportunities.

Ryan Harrison
Former American tennis player on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

Shelton has been really good. It hasn't been perfect, but every time he has come up against a break point he has come up with something great and that is what you want to see.

Another simple hold for Ben Shelton who closes out his service game with a perfectly measured volley.

Ignacio Buse is not in a rush to get out of here though.

It's a hold to love for the Peruvian.

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Emma Raducanu on returning to the US Open: "I'm a lot happier coming back this year. The last few years I've come here, I felt too much pressure.

"I put too much pressure on myself, I don't think I was in the best state coming into the tournament in terms of practice, preparation matches.

"This year I feel I am doing the right things, working on the right things as well, and that helps with my confidence."

Well, well, well.

After such a tight first 11 games, Taylor Fritz breaks Emilio Nava when it matters most to take the first set.

Nava is furious with himself after hitting an unforced error to give Fritz the break.

The fourth seed only had two break point opportunities in that set and took one of them - the final point of the set.

A missed opportunity for Ben Shelton.

He closes out another service game before Ignacio Buse double faults on his way to allowing the American two break points.

Buse is able to save them though and shows determination to hold serve and keep himself in this third set.

This is really high quality stuff for the first round.

Taylor Fritz holds to put himself within a break of taking the first set but my word did he have to work for that.

Emilio Nava takes it to deuce but finds the net with a forehand groundstroke on Fritz's advantage to give him the hold.

Ignacio Buse fails to convert another break point as Ben Shelton gets himself to deuce with a great forehand across the court.

The American then forces his opponent in to an error and holds serve again.

A double fault sees Buse face break point himself and Shelton does well to return the Peruvian's serve before he goes long and allows the American to break.

Game over?

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Raducanu on winning so comfortably in the first round: "To play and put out such a clean performance in the first round, when there are inevitably a lot of nerves, I'm really proud I overcame that.

Raducanu on working with coach Francis Roig: "The people around me - I'm really enjoying working with Francis [Roig], he's a great person to have on and off the court. He is chatty and great fun off the court, we have a lot of laughs which definitely helps.

"He's great at having that calm and composure about him, reassuring me that all the work we're doing off the court doesn't need to pay off straight away but I know we are working towards something and building day by day.

"He helps with me trying not to be such a perfectionist."

Emma Raducanu on staying sharp: "The match was taxing mentally to stay locked in, but physically it wasn't the longest match, so (in practice this afternoon) I can just tidy up a few things.

"It's something I've been doing over the last few weeks, spending time on the practice courts. It won't be very physical, but just to correct a few things."

Emma Raducanu speaking to Sky Sports: "The first game was important, holding to love. That relaxes you a little bit. I'm pleased to come through and have the afternoon off to relax, practice and get ready. It's a good feeling and now I can prepare as well as possible."