US Open 2019 news - Dominic Thiem, Kyle Edmund and Stefanos Tsitsipas fall in US Open first round

ByCarrie Dunn

Updated 27/08/2019 at 21:39 GMT

The seeds tumbled on the men's side of the US Open draw as fourth seed Dominic Thiem, 30th seed and British number one Kyle Edmund, and eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas all crashed out in the first round.

Edmund lost in a rollercoaster five-set encounter to Pablo Andujar, with the Spaniard coming out on top 3-6, 7-6(1), 7-5, 5-7, 6-2.

He was soon joined by Thiem, beaten in an incredible effort by Thomas Fabbiano of Italy, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Tsitsipas had earlier been knocked out as Russia's Andrey Rublev secured a 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 7-5 win.

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The Greek had to call a trainer for medical attention after the third set tie-break, and was visibly struggling during the fourth set - receiving a time violation from the umpire as he struggled at a change of ends.

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Image credit: Getty Images

That makes two Grand Slams in a row where Tsitsipas has departed in the first round, after his Wimbledon defeat to Thomas Fabbiano; although he did reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open back in January.

World number 43 Rublev, who beat Roger Federer in the third round at Cincinnati a fortnight ago, attacked Tsitsipas with his forehans and broke his opponent five times in the match.

"Both of us were tired. He started to cramp ... I was cramping in the match and tried not to show it," said Rublev.

"When you win matches like this it gives you lots of confidence."

Tenth seed Roberto Bautista Agut was knocked out in a topsy-turvy five-setter by Mikhail Kukushkin, who won 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

It was Kukushkin's first victory over the Spaniard in four career meetings.

Up next for the Kazakh will be Australian Alexei Popyrin, who beat Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-1 7-5 7-6(5)

It was better news for sixth seed Alexander Zverev, who was pushed close by Radu Albot, but managed to pull off a five-set win, 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2.

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