US Open Nadal survives as Raducanu, Osaka fall

NEW YORK, Aug 31 (Reuters): Second seed Rafael Nadal faced a surprise test in his first US Open appearance since winning the 2019 title, as he overcame 21-year-old Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-3 on Tuesday in the opening round.
Playing in only his second match after pulling out of Wimbledon with an abdominal injury, the Spaniard had speculated whether he was ready to take on New York and seemed to confirm those fears as he struggled on the return in the first set.
Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu's US Open title defense ended at the first hurdle on Tuesday while Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and twice US Open winner Naomi Osaka were also ousted in the opening round.
British teenager Raducanu made a dream run to the title as a qualifier last year but her return to court at Flushing Meadows was less memorable as she fell 6-3, 6-3 to Frenchwoman Alize Cornet.