Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff Headline U.S. Open in Star-Studded Start

The U.S. Open kicks off in Flushing Meadows with defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff leading the charge. Djokovic aims for his 25th Grand Slam title, while Gauff looks to bounce back from recent disappointments. Other key players include Aryna Sabalenka and China's Zheng Qinwen.

FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY - The U.S. Open commenced under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium with defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff taking center stage. Djokovic, eyeing his 25th Grand Slam title, is anticipated to conclude the evening session against Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.

Despite a three-week hiatus since clinching Olympic gold in Paris, the Serbian world number two remains a frontrunner to defend his title successfully for the first time since Roger Federer achieved the feat in 2008. 'My goal is always to reach the finals and vie for the trophy. This year is no exception,' Djokovic stated prior to the tournament.

Amidst recovering from a series of underwhelming performances, Gauff is set to round off the Ashe day session by facing France's Varvara Gracheva. Meanwhile, former champion Dominic Thiem will compete against American Ben Shelton on the same showcourt, as Shelton pursues to end the American men's Grand Slam title drought that has persisted since Andy Roddick's 2003 U.S. Open victory.

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka, fresh off a Cincinnati win, will initiate her title pursuit under the Louis Armstrong Stadium lights against Priscilla Hon. Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion and runner-up last year, aims to capture both hardcourt majors in a single season, echoing Angelique Kerber's 2016 achievement.

Seventh seed Zheng Qinwen, China's Olympic champion, will commence Monday's matches against Amanda Anisimova at the Louis Armstrong Stadium. Other notable players in action include Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Victoria Azarenka, and Americans Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys, and Frances Tiafoe.

(With inputs from agencies.)