Some amazing tennis on Day 1 at the US Open

Lots of action in Flushing Meadows yesterday as players from Florida put in a good showing. It was a sun-soaked day in New York but that didn't stop (most) pros from the Sunshine State from rolling past their first round opponents.

The following round-up of yesterday's play includes our faves from Florida and a smattering of other cool players we watched as well.

First off — all eyes were on the US Open defending champ, Coco Gauff, hailing from sunny Delray Beach as she took down her first set opponent with ease 6-2, 6-0. Last year's finalist, Miami resident Aryna Sabalenka, also beat Australian qualifier Priscilla Hon 6-3, 6-3.

Another Miami-based player and this year's Delray Beach Open champ, Taylor Fritz, cruised past Camilo Ugo Carabelli, 7-5, 6-1, 6-2

Chris Eubanks has become another fan favorite, for his play as well as for his tennis commentary. Unfortunately, while he fought gamely, Eubanks lost a tough 5-setter to Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech; the fifth set going to a tie breaker (10-8) that had the crowd at court 11 on their feet.  Here is a shot of Eubanks going off his feet earlier in the match.

Photo credit: Todd Pechter for Florida Tennis

Former Florida Gator, Ben Shelton, rolled former US Open champ Dominic Thiem, in a swift three sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2, pushing his way into the second round. Meanwhile Madison Keys, based out of Orlando, knocked out Katerina Siniakova in straight-sets, 6-4, 6-1. 

We tracked down Brandon Nakashima training for his comeback last fall at the Emilio Sanchez Academy in Naples and he was looking strong. His comeback (so far) has been seriously impressive. Florida Tennis contributor Guillermo Morales-Rubert reported on multiple big wins at the Cincinnati Open recently.

Yesterday, Nakashima knocked out 15th seed Holger Rune in less than two hours, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. By seeding, it’s the biggest upset of the men’s draw so far. 

Photo credit: Todd Pechter for Florida Tennis

Florida Tennis contributing writer Cameron Mofid, a former player at the Emilio Sanchez Academy, was on-hand to see his friend, Bradenton-based IMG star Shang Juncheng (aka Jerry), take down Alexander Bublik, the No. 27 seed from Kazakhstan, in five sets, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Frances Tiafoe has a new home in Boca Raton. And 'Big Foe' is benefitting from the Florida heat. He just got to the final in Cincinnati and he's starting the US Open in style with a first round win defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

In one of the most-anticipated matches of the day, Boca Raton-based Reilly Opelka took on red hot Italian maestro Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian proved why he just took home the bronze medal at the Olympics. He ousted Opelka, who made a valiant run in the second set, 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-1, 7-5.  

After watching Opelka on court 7, I bumped into Ed Krass, former coach at Harvard, who runs College Tennis Exposure Camp and One on One Doubles. Krass also spent time at Clemson coaching Jay Berger. He agrees with Berger's analysis that Opelka's comeback after injuries looks promising despite the first round loss.

Photo credit: Todd Pechter for Florida Tennis

Taylor Townsend has become a fan favorite, due in large part to her winning doubles play and her winning personality that she has repeatedly demonstrated in exhibition matches. Here she is in action, winning her first round singles match over Matina Trevisan of Italy 6-2, 7-5.

Finally, newly minted Olympic gold medal winner and defending champ, Novak Djokovic, scored an impressive 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win against Radu Albot to close out the evening. On a roll, the Djoker will be a hard out for anyone this year. 

We're looking forward to Day 2 at the US Open. So far, so good for Team Florida.

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Written by Florida Tennis Editor and Publisher Matt Pressman with additional reporting and photography from Florida Tennis contributor Todd Pechter.