Mertens edges past Quevedo 6-4 6-4 in US Open opener

Elise Mertens made a tidy start to the US Open, controlling a tight straight-sets first-round win over Spain's Kaitlin Quevedo 6-4 6-4. The Belgian's serve carried her through the close moments: she landed 62.3 percent of first deliveries and won 78.9 percent of those points, striking six aces against Quevedo's one, and even six double faults could not undo that platform. Quevedo competed well behind her own serve, winning 56.2 percent of second-serve points, but she managed only 65.9 percent behind her first ball and 57.9 percent accuracy. The result put Mertens into the second round.