Felix Auger-Aliassime was made to work for his progression to the second round of the US Open, coming through a four-set clash with Rinky Hijikata. 

Auger-Aliassime, a two-time semi-finalist in New York, overcame a rain delay to begin his quest for major glory with a 7-5 4-6 6-3 7-5 win in three hours and 19 minutes. 

The third seed teed up an encounter with Karen Khachanov in the next round, though he was put through his paces in order to confirm his triumph.

Hijikata got the better of Auger-Aliassime's serve early in the first set to race into a 4-2 lead, only for the Canadian to win four consecutive games to pull clear of his opponent. 

But Hijikata responded in the second, needing just one break to level things up. However, Auger-Aliassime regained his composure in the third set after a one-hour rain delay. 

Auger-Aliassime earned an early break in the third, and even though Hijikata hit back, he gave up the next game on serve and edged closer to falling at the first hurdle.

During a pulsating fourth set, Auger-Aliassime broke Hijikata's serve to go within one game of victory, but his Australian opponent came back with a brilliant break of his own. 

However, Auger-Aliassime was able to get the job done and stop the match from going the distance, sealing his progression when Hijikata hit a backhand return wide.

"We've known each other since we were 10 years old," said Auger-Aliassime. "But this was our first time playing on the Tour. He was causing me a lot of problems.

"He made me think a lot. The match got quite tense. Both players felt all the emotions as much as the crowd. It was an exciting night of tennis."

Felix flexes through to Round 2! pic.twitter.com/ZWUgwHgaKs

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2026

Auger-Aliassime will be joined in the next round by home hopefuls Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, though the pair were also pushed to their limits in their first-round ties. 

Shelton overcame a slow start to beat Tallon Griekspoor 1-6 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 6-2, with Hubert Hurkacz his next opponent after his opening-round triumph over Damir Dzumhur. 

Tiafoe, meanwhile, overcame a five-set scare against compatriot Martin Damm, earning a hard-fought 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 6-4 win in three hours and 48 minutes. 

However, Stan Wawrinka's major career came to an end after he was comfortably beaten in straight sets by Matteo Berrettini. 

Wawrinka, who is calling time on his career at the end of the season, received a last-minute wild card into the tournament that he won back in 2016. 

The three-time grand slam winner did, however, fall at the first hurdle, losing 6-7 (4-7) 6-7 (3-7) 0-6. 

"It has been 20 years since I first came to New York," Wawrinka said. "I remember the first time I came here.

"It was impressive for me to feel the New York vibe and the energy of this tournament.

"But over the years, I have received so much support and love. Because of you [the fans], I really enjoyed it and I found a way to play my best tennis here."

Auger-Aliassime lays down a marker as Tiafoe enjoys another win on home soil

Across his grand slam career, Auger-Aliassime's best run has come at the US Open, reaching the semi-finals in 2021 and 2025, though he will be hoping to try and end his wait for major glory at Flushing Meadows this time around. 

Since last year's US Open, Auger-Aliassime (54) has claimed the third-most match wins at ATP level, trailing only Jannik Sinner (71) and Alexander Zverev (60).

His victory also saw him register his 49th victory at a grand slam event. Only Milos Raonic (92) has managed more such wins among Canadian players in the Open Era. 

But another player who is out for their first grand slam title is Tiafoe, and he often produces his best tennis in front of his home crowd.

Among currently active players, only Novak Djokovic (242) and Taylor Fritz (128) have claimed more ATP-level match wins in the United States than Tiafoe's 126.