Azarenka Edges Debutante Inoue in US Open Opener

NEW YORK, August 25, 2025 - American qualifier Hina Inoue’s maiden Grand Slam main-draw appearance ended in a hard-fought defeat, as three-time finalist Victoria Azarenka prevailed 7-6(0), 6-4 in the first round of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Azarenka, playing her first match since Wimbledon, withstood Inoue’s relentless retrieving to claim a tense opening-set tiebreak after saving multiple break points. The 36-year-old then withstood a medical timeout for a left upper-leg issue before closing out the contest in just over two hours on Court 12.

Despite crafting 14 winners to Inoue’s 35 and breaking serve four times, Azarenka needed every ounce of her competitive fire to withstand the 22-year-old American’s debut composure. Inoue, ranked No. 215, showed poise by securing three breaks of serve but ultimately could not convert critical break opportunities late in the second set.

Azarenka advances to face either Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Dayana Yastremska in the second round, while Inoue’s promising campaign ends in a runner-up finish to the veteran former world No. 1.