American Danielle Collins showed no signs of rust after missing the entire North American hardcourt season, battling past two-time U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 on Tuesday and into the second round.
The tournament winner in 2018 and 2020, Osaka's exit followed reigning champion Emma Raducanu's departure hours earlier as Flushing Meadows bid a first-round farewell to its past two champions.
The last first-round match on the schedule was one of the most intriguing, pitting two players who produce their best on hard courts. Collins was the losing finalist to Ash Barty at this year's Australian Open, and Osaka is a two-time winner of the same tournament in addition to her U.S. Open titles.