India’s Maaya Rajeswaran Revathi, seeded 15th, made a confident start to her US Open girls’ singles campaign with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over American Emery Combs in the first round.
The 17-year-old raced to a 4-0 lead before Combs fought back, but Maaya quickly regained control, reeling off seven successive games to close out the match in 70 minutes. “I was nervous going in, but I’m happy to get past the first round,” Maaya said after her win. She will next face Russian qualifier Arina Malygina in the second round.
It was a tougher day for India’s boys and doubles representatives. Arnav Paparkar, ranked No. 18, fell 4-6, 1-6 to 12th seed Andrew Johnson of the USA, struggling with his serve and converting only three of ten break points. “My biggest weapon was not working today,” Paparkar admitted.
In men’s doubles, Sriram Balaji and American partner Evan King went down fighting against 12th seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys, losing 4-6, 5-7 in the second round.
While setbacks marked the day for Paparkar and Balaji, Maaya’s confident start has given India hope in the girls’ singles draw.
