Eighty-seven matches on the schedule and we got through them all! Thanks as always for following along with us and be sure to join us tomorrow for more rolling coverage from Flushing Meadows.

Eighty-six of today’s 87 scheduled matches are in the books. All that’s left is a Court No17 tangle between No5 seed Caroline Wozniacki and Ekaterina Makarova. The fifth-seeded Wozniacki rallied from 2-4 down in the second to force a decider, but she’s quickly gone down a break (and 3-love) against an opponent she’d beaten in their previous seven meetings.

You didn’t think you were getting to bed early tonight, did you? Moments after Shapovalov was broken while serving for the match for 5-all in the third, Woznicki holds on in a topsy-turvy tiebreaker to force a deciding set against Makarova. In other news, Carla Suarez Navarro has seen off Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in three sets on Court No5.

Oh dear! Tsonga botches an overhand to give Shapovalov a break-point chance, then sprays a forehand wide. Two inexplicable misses for the Frenchman and the Canadian teen is within touching distance of a shocking straight-sets win. Shapovalov to serve at 6-4, 6-4, 4-3.

Garbine Muguruza was nothing short of Muguruthless in a straight-sets win over Ying-Ying Duan that ended moments ago on Grandstand. The Wimbledon champion rallied from 3-4 down to take the opening set before bageling her opponent in a scant 21 minutes in the second to cap a 6-4, 6-0 victory.

Speaking of emphatic closers: No18 seed Caroline Garcia of France has just finished off a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 win over Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova. That sets up a delicious third-round matchup with No13 seed Petra Kvitova.

Shapovalov calmly munches a banana in his chair after serving his way to a two-set lead over Tsonga on Ashe. No shortage of indicting statistics to explain this one, but here’s one that stands out: Tsonga has only made 22 of 54 (44%) of his first serves. Not going to cut it.

That’s not the only upset alert at the moment as No5 seed Caroline Wozniacki is down a set and a break against Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova over on Court No17.

Another result is booked as Moldovan qualifer Radu Albot has blitzed Taiwan’s Yen-Hsun Lu in a fifth-set tiebreaker to settle their tangle after nearly four hours. Albot advances to face homestanding Sam Querrey, the No17 seed and Wimbledon semi-finalist, on Friday.

Another result is in the books as Italy’s Thomas Fabiano wins 2-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 over Australia’s Jorand Thompson. That sets up an all-Italian third-rounder between Fabiano and Paolo Lorenzi, who knocked of No19 seed Gilles Muller earlier today. Meanwhile, Canadian teen Denis Shapolvalov continues to roll in an entertaining showcase match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Ashe. He’s up a break in the second set and will now serve for a two-set lead against the Frenchman.

Moments ago Alexander Zverev insisted fatigue from a crowded playing schedule wasn’t a factor in tonight’s surprise loss to Borna Coric. “I took time off after Cincinnati,” Zverev said. “Physically I’m fine. I just played very, very bad in the second and third set. I should have won the third. I definitely should have won the fourth.

“But, you know, it’s upsetting because the draw is pretty open in the bottom part. I felt like I should have been the favorite there. You know, I just played a very, very bad match, so it’s unfortunate. But that’s how it is.”

Zverev, owing in large part to a charitable draw, was in fact the third betting favorite to win the title before tonight’s defeat. When asked if the expectations weighed on him, the 20-year old was to the point.

“No,” he said, “because I’ve been dealing with expectations from a very young age, so for my whole career. For me, this is just another step. I was the highest-ranked player in the bottom half of the draw after Andy retired. Now I’m out of the draw, so ...

“For me, nothing changes. I still have to go back to work and then try to win this title maybe in the future years.”

Another one in the books as No31 seed Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia has knocked out Kristyna Pliskova in a pair of tiebreak sets on Court No15, setting up a third-round clash between the winner of the Garbine Muguruza-Ying-Ying Duan match that’s just started on Grandstand.

Venus Williams was just asked whether she enjoys the relative anonymity afforded during the first week of majors compared to the intense media scrutiny of the second: “For me, I’m just going on the court, practicing, preparing and recovering and playing the match. I’m not out there reading press, watching TV or trying to see who said I was going to win. At the end of the day there’s people who are talking about the winning and there are people who are actually playing the matches. I need to play the match.”

Shapovalov has taken the first set from Tsonga under the lights of Ashe. Two more results in the books to pass along: No16 seed Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia has won 6-4, 6-4 over Ukranian qualifier Kateryna Kozlova, while Kazakh qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin was won 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 over Russia’s Evgeny Donskoy.

Oh and a third just now and it’s an upset: Sloane Stephens – finally healthy! – has taken out the No11 seed Dominika Cibulkova with a confidence-building 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 win on Court No10.

You may never find better value for a grounds pass than today. It’s 10pm in Queens and 10 matches are in progress around the complex. Then an 11th is about to start featuring Wimbledon champion Garbine Mugurza, who’s just stepped onto Grandstand to face China’s Ying-Ying Duan.

Those with Ashe tickets are settling in for a peach of a nightcap: Canadian qualifier Denis Shapovalov, the youngest player in the top 100, is looking to serve out the first set against No8 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Two matches are into a fifth set: Italy’s Jordan Thompson and Australia’s Thomas Fabbiano are about to start their decider on Court No16, while Taiwan’s Yen-Hsun Lu has rallied from two sets down to force a fifth against Moldovan qualifer Radu Albot on Court No8.

Britain’s Kyle Edmund is into the round of 32 after a 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (4) win over Stevie Johnson of the United States on Armstrong. Ten other matches in progress around the grounds as 10pm approaches. One of the best can be found on Court No10, where Sloane Stephens and No11 seed Dominika Cibulkova are on serve midway through the third and deciding set.

On Ashe, Canadian qualifier Denis Shapovalov is up an early break on No8 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Mischa is the first Zverev brother out of the woods as he backs up the late break for a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (3), 7-5 victory over Benoit Paire. He’ll face big John Isner on Friday.

Alexander? The No4 seed is still plugging away on Grandstand. He’s just held for 6-5 in the fourth and now his opponent, Borna Coric, will serve to force a fourth-set tiebreaker.

In another result: it’s an unhappy 29th birthday for Ernests Gulbis, the former French Open semi-finalist who’s just gone out in straight sets to No28 seed Kevin Anderson.

Both Zverev brothers have been taken into deep waters against unseeded opponents. Mischa, the No23 seed, is at 5-all in the fifth against France’s Benoit Paire with Paire to serve on Court No4. Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Alexander is still behind two sets to one against the young Croat Borna Coric, but they’re on serve at 4-all in the fourth on Grandstand.

Venus Williams is through the round of 32 after a mostly stress-free straight-sets win over France’s Oceane Dodin in the night-session opener. Williams was serving at 7-5, 5-3 when Dodin crushed three straight winners for love-40 before Williams double-faulted to surrender the break. That put them back on serve, but not for long: Williams broke back immediately and booked her spot in the third round. She’ll face Greece’s Maria Sakkari next.

It hasn’t been a banner major for Team GB, but Kyle Edmund is still in the fray. The British No2 has opened a two-set lead over American Stevie Johnson on Armstrong and they’re on serve in the third. The winner advances to a third-round tilt against the winner of tonight’s nightcap on Ashe between No8 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Canadian phenom Denis Shapovalov, the younger player in the top 100. That match will begin shortly with Williams having taken care of business.

Borna Coric is one set away from the upset of the tournament so far after blitzing Alexander Zverev in their third-set tiebreaker. He now leads 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1) in a clash of promising 20-year-olds on Grandstand and the match is very much being played on his terms. Might Zverev be feeling a touch of fatigue from his first-round match against Darian King, which ended in straight sets but not until after 2am local time?

Some more results on the board: No19 seed Gilles Muller, who made the second week of a grand slam for the first time in nine years at Wimbledon, fails to back it up in New York as he falls to unseeded Paolo Lorenzi of Italy in four sets. The No20 seed is also out as Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas is bageled in the fifth set by France’s Nicolas Mahut, falling 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 in just under three and a half hours. Meanwhile, Coric and Zverev are in a third-set tiebreaker. We’ll update you as soon as it’s finished.

This Coric-Zverev barnburner on Grandstand continues to heat up. Lots of rallies extending 20 strokes or more. High-quality stuff on the most intimate court where you could hope to watch a top-five player here. At one set apiece and 5-all in the third, Coric just saved three break points for the hold and Zverev will serve to force a tiebreaker. Coric is now a perfect 7-for-7 in break points saved on the night and you have to wonder if it will start to get to the No4 seed as the night presses on.

Meanwhile on Ashe, Venus Williams has taken the first set over Oceane Dodin by virtue of a break in the final game.

Maria Sharapova just finished doing press following today’s second-round win over Timea Babos. The five-time grand slam champion, a winner in Flushing Meadows back in 2006, was asked whether she’s starting to feel like a favorite again despite a 15-month layoff due to a drug ban.

“Look, I certainly have expectations just because I know I’ve been in these stages before and I’ve been able to execute,” the 30-year-old told gathered media. “There’s a certain level of I know I can do this, I’ve done it before. I want to have that feeling again. But there’s also the realistic understanding of, OK, you haven’t been in this situation for a while. It’s going to take a little time.

“Of course, managing expectations is part of it, learning as you play the matches, which is something I haven’t done for a long time.”

Then, a bit of a chippy exchange to close the session regarding the testing she’s undergone since her return.

Q. How many times have you been drug tested this year?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think the ITF can give you a number.

Q. They don’t have numbers.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: At the end of the year, they usually produce those numbers.

Q. Right now, you can’t tell us how many times you think you’ve been tested? More than three or five?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: At the end of the year, you’ll be able to find out.

Not so fast on Ashe. Venus Williams had appeared to be cruising to the first set against Oceane Dodin, but the No9 seed turned in a scratchy service game while serving for the opener and now they’re back on serve with Dodin serving at 4-5.

Venus Williams has the first break of her match with Oceane Dodin and she’s just basked it up with a hold for 5-2 in the first. On Armstrong, Stevie Johnson has broken back against Kyle Edmund and they’re at 5-all in the opener.

Elsewhere, another seed is in danger: No20 Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain has squandered a two-sets-to-one lead against French qualifier of Nicolas Mahut. They’re into a decider and Mahut has pocket a pair of early breaks.

Truly a peach of a day-session ticket, today. Second-round matches continue unabated around the grounds. All eyes are on Venus Williams, who’s on serve with France’s Oceane Dodin early in their night-session opener on Ashe. But those who can’t get into the stadium have no shortage of options on the outer courts.

A sampling: Britain’s Kyle Edmund is up an early break on homestanding Steve Johnson on Armstrong; two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is cruising toward an easy win over Alize Cornet, leading 6-4, 4-1 on Court No13; Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi has just won a third-set tiebreaker for a two-sets-to-one lead over No19 seed Gilles Muller on Court No7.

Also, a handful of noteworthy matches have just started with No5 seed Marin Cilic facing Germany’s Florian Mayer on Court No17, No11 seed Dominika Cibulkova facing American Sloane Stephens on No10 and Julia Goerges of Germany meeting Saisai Zheng of China on No5.

Borna Coric has just broken from 40-love down to take the second set from Alexander Zverev. They’re knotted at one set apiece on the Grandstand and the fourth-seeded Zverev has quickly disappeared into the tunnel for treatment on the blisters on his heels. Coric has been fancied for a true grand slam breakthrough for some time now and Zverev, well, we know all about him. This is surely one to keep an eye on as the night moves forward.

Hi there, Bryan here. Our night session will be under way shortly but there’s no less than fourteen matches in progress around the grounds as we speak. Make that thirteen as Sofia Kenin has just seen off Sascha Vickery in a third-set tiebreaker for a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (0) victory, an all-American scrap that drew an animated crowd on Court No10. Kenin advances to face Maria Sharapova on Friday.

Er ... make that twelve matches, as No16 seed Lucas Pouille has just survived a five-set thriller against in-form American youngster Jared Donaldson, winning 7-5, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4 in three and a half hours on Court No17. Pouille, a quarter-finalist last year at Flushing Meadows after ousting Rafael Nadal in the match of the tournament, avenges his loss to Donaldson a few weeks ago in Montreal and will face the winner of the second-round match betwene Evgeny Donskoy and Mikhail Kukushkin.

One programming note: the lone match that was not scheduled for a court today, a second-round tilt between Ying-Ying Duan and Garbine Muguruza, will be played on Grandstand after the completion of Coric-Zverev, which is at 3-6, 5-5.

British qualifier Cameron Norrie has struggled in the first set against Spain’s 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta, losing it 6-2. John Isner is on course for victory, 6-3, 6-4, 5-5 ahead against Chung Hyeon, Sam Querrey is now two sets to the good, 6-4, 6-1, against Dudi Sela and Petra Kvitova is in the opening game against France’s Alize Cornet. That’s it from me for today, thanks for reading/emailing/tweeting etc, it’s time to hand over to Bryan for the rest of the day’s play. Bye!

There are plenty of matches going on around the grounds though, the most eye-catching of which is the battle of the 20-year-olds between Germany’s Alex Zverev and Croatia’s Borna Coric. Zverev probably can’t be talked about as a player for the future anymore because he’s a player for the present. The fourth seed has claimed five titles this season, including two Masters crowns, beating Federer recently in Montreal and Djokovic in Rome in May. Zverev and Coric have actually played each other before at Flushing Meadows, meeting in the 2013 boys’ semi-final, which Coric won en route to the title. Zverev currently leads by a set to love, 6-3.

Sharapova’s win signals the end of the day session on Arthur Ashe, with Venus Williams and then Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Denis Shapovalov to come in the night’s play. That could be quite some match: Shapovalov, the 18-year-old Canadian, stunned Rafael Nadal in Montreal and is more than capable of pulling off another upset tonight.

Sharapova is the first player through to the third round, where she’ll play either the USA’s Sofia Kenin or Sachia Vickery, so she’ll be the strong favourite there and has a favourable draw all the way to the semi-finals.

Sharapova speaks:

It wasn’t my best tennis, I felt it was a scrappy match. But I think in the second set I felt like I was physically fresh. I wanted to be the fittest player out there in the end, and I felt I was. One match at a time, I know it’s a boring answer. Every day I play at the US Open is a special day and I look forward to the next one.

Sabine Lisicki, the 2013 Wimbledon runner-up, is out, losing to China’s Zhang Shuai. And that means Britain’s Cameron Norrie is starting on Court 6. Want to discover more about the South African-born, New Zealand-raised, American-college-nurtured, Texas-based son of a Scottish father and Welsh mother? Then let our very own Kevin Mitchell be your guide.

From 2-0 ahead in the final set, Sharapova, swinging freely, now leads 3-1. She has the chance for a double break at advantage on Babos’s serve. Babos, visibly showing her frustration for the first time today, chides herself. And she’s left to remonstrate with herself at the changeover when Sharapova breaks. Sharapova leads 4-1.

Another in-form American is Sam Querrey, who’s having the season of his career at the age of 29 and reached the Wimbledon semi-finals last month. He’s under way on Court 5 against Israel’s Dudi Sela, and leads 5-4 on serve in the first set.

John Isner is going well on Louis Armstrong, a set and now a break up, 4-3, against the young South Korean Chung Hyeon, who rose to a career-high 47 in the rankings this week. Isner is also in good form, with a 14-3 record since Wimbledon. History appears to be on his side too: he’s 9-0 in US Open second-round matches and is bidding to reach the third round for the ninth straight year.

Whatever you think of Sharapova and her ban, given everything that’s happened over the past year and a half, it’s good to be finally talking about her tennis, isn’t it? She starts the third set in the same vein as the second, by breaking and then holding, raising her game as this match reaches its finale. She’s certainly not the most talented player on tour but she’s so hard to beat. She was in a precarious position when 3-2 down in the second set, facing two break points, but she’s in the ascendancy now.

John Isner has taken the first set 6-3 against Chung Hyeon. To follow on Louis Armstrong: Kyle Edmund, Britain’s best hope for a run at this tournament after Johanna Konta’s first-round defeat and Andy Murray’s pre-tournament withdrawal, plays the aggressive American Steve Johnson, who Edmund beat on his way to the semi-finals at Winston-Salem last week.

Sharapova has a wonderful opportunity to break Babos for a 4-3 lead. At 30-40 on her opponent’s serve she has the court at her mercy, but misfires and goes wide. Deuce. It’s so hit and miss this. Sharapova makes amends to get to her advantage, cue a very loud “C’MON MARIA”. I’m not sure I’ve heard her talk to herself in the third person before but it does the job, she gets the break and nudges ahead.

Sharapova’s match is not the most comfortable viewing. It’s such a ragged, up and down display, perhaps understandable after playing so few matches over the past year and a half but, after defeating the second seed Simona Halep on Monday, she’d back herself to beat the world No59 today. Sharapova will be furious with herself if she lets this match slip. She’s living very dangerously at 3-2 down on serve in the second set, Babos has a couple of chances to break but Sharapova finds her first serve when it matters, she’s up to seven aces for the day. Sharapova eventually holds for 3-3.

Around the grounds, the Big Friendly Giant John Isner is just getting started on Louis Armstrong against South Korea’s Chung Hyeon. Agnieszka Radwanska, the crafty Pole, leads 6-4 6-5 against Croatia’s Petra Martic, Shelby Rogers has won her all-American clash with Kayla Day in three sets, and victories for the 11th seed Roberto Bautista Agut, Dustin Brown, Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco.

But then there’s a strange let-up in Sharapova’s intensity, as Babos is handed the chance to break back. Sharapova surrenders the break in the worst way possible, with a double fault. It’s 2-all in the second set.

Complete with her trademark death stare, Sharapova surges through her service game, 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. When she’s playing like this, few can live with her. Why couldn’t she do this in the first set? She’s 2-0 ahead in the second, the first time she’s had a lead in a set during this second-round match.

Beware a wounded Sharapova. Just as she did after losing the second set against Halep on Monday, the Russian is hitting out, breaking Babos in the opening game of the second set.

Babos gets the mini-break on the first point but then produces her first double fault of the day, 1-1, before a mistake from Sharapova. It’s 2-1 Babos. Sharapova sails long, 3-1. This is an error-strewn breaker so far, made worse when Sharapova double faults herself. Babos leads 4-1. Sharapova shakes off some of the tension with a rocket of a shot, 4-2, but she’s left herself with much to do as they change ends ...

It’s funny how it’s easy to break when the pressure’s off and then it’s impossible to hold when the pressure’s on. Babos blinks again and again in this game, Sharapova has two break points at 15-40, and just the one will do. After three breaks in a row we’re back on serve and into a first-set tie-break.

Well, well. Babos shows some spirit to recover from the disappointment of failing to serve out the first set. The unseeded Hungarian breaks Sharapova and will once again get the chance to settle matters in this opener. She leads 6-5.

“Imagine if Nick K could apply himself like John Millman,” emails Craig McEwan. “He’d be sensational! The road just got easier for Roger F. I think I’m right in saying that Kyrgios was a potential opponent in the 4th round. Nick K. on his game could beat Roger. Anyway, it’s all moot now.” You’re right Craig, they could have met in the fourth round. Juan Martin del Potro and Dominic Thiem are potentially the most dangerous players in Federer’s quarter of the draw, but Del Potro isn’t the player he was when he beat Federer in the 2009 US Open final and Thiem, while hugely talented, isn’t yet as strong on the hard courts as he is on clay.

Sharapova has taken off one of her sleeves to reveal some strapping on her left arm, an injury that prevented her from playing a warm-up event before the US Open. A bad miss from Sharapova on the opening point of the game but then it’s Babos’s turn to throw in an error. 15-all, make that 15-30 Sharapova. The Russian has an opportunity to bring up the break point but steers her forehand just wide. 30-all. Will it be set point or break point? Break point, because Babos biffs into the net. Some controlled aggression from Sharapova, as she moves Babos around, and the Hungarian goes long. Babos is broken when serving for the first set!

Babos is finding a way to absorb Sharapova’s power here, defending well before unleashing her own counterattacks. After the flurry of breaks, there are four holds in a row. Babos leads 5-4 and will serve for the opening set. I wonder how Sharapova is feeling physically after that three-set battle against Halep on Monday. It was only her second match since May, because of the injury problems she’s had since her return from that drug ban. Her road to redemption has certainly not been straightforward.

Kuznetsova lives to fight another day, prevailing 7-2 in the tie-break. The 32-year-old could become the world No1 for the first time after this US Open but she’ll need to win the title here, 13 years after her breakthrough win. It’s a big, big ask.

Sharapova breaks back but is immediately under pressure on her serve again, fending off two break points, before succumbing on the third after a wonderful exchange, Babos displaying all her athletic ability. Sharapova trails 3-2, after three breaks in five games.

Svetlana Kuznetsova saved three match points to hold for 5-5 in the third set against Marketa Vondrousova. After another hold apiece, they’re into a final-set tie-break.

Aljaz Bedene has been unable to mount a fightback on Court 8, and becomes the first British man to exit, losing 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 to the talented Russian Andrey Rublev.

Sharapova is also wearing two black sleeves, a little like Raonic or Kyrgios, only more glamorous of course. I guess they’re supposed to look like gloves, to go with her diamond-encrusted dress. The mind boggles. “Behind all this glitter, this girl has a lot of grit, and she’s going nowhere,” Sharapova said with a straight face after her win over Halep.

“Re Kyrgios and his ‘lack of maturity’: of course you could argue that he displays exceptional maturity within the professional ranks by realising that it is just a (rather silly) game,” emails Geoff Wignall. Sharapova, meanwhile, doesn’t seem to be coping too well with the relative mundanity of this second-round day match and is already a break down, 2-0.

Del Potro’s win on Arthur Ashe means Maria Sharapova has stepped on to court for the final match of the day session there, returning to the scene of her Monday night win over the second seed, Simona Halep. It was Sharapova’s first grand slam match since returning from her 15-month doping ban in April. After wearing a diamond-encrusted black dress for that occasion, she’s opted for a diamond-encrusted pale pink number for this one. Imagine the grief you’d get if you turned up for a match in the park wearing something similar. Actually, you’d probably get mugged. Anyway, the 2006 champion is up against the unseeded Hungarian Timea Babos today. After a first-round match that felt like a final, it’ll be interesting to see how she copes with the ordinariness of the second round today.

Aljaz Bedene, meanwhile, is making a better fist of it against Andrey Rublev but the British No3 still has a mountain to climb at two sets down, 6-1, 6-4, 3-3.

David Goffin is back in action after the freak injury he suffered at the French Open and he’s through in four sets against France’s Julien Benneteau. Svetlana Kuznetsova has recovered from a set down to force a decider against the Czech Marketa Vondrousova and the dazzling and dreadlocked Dustin Brown is serving for a two-set lead over Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci.

So Kyrgios continues to write the headlines but they’re becoming a tad tiring. If he could find some maturity and application he could rewrite the narrative. It’s infuriating that a player of his ability is not making more of his talent. But then you could also argue that to be the 17th best player in the world, given his reluctance to knuckle down and put in the hard work, is still an achievement.

I’ve just seen a bit of that Kyrgios press conference.

It’s just the story of my career. I have good weeks and bad weeks. It’s just another grand slam. Did I look healthy? My arm felt numb. What else am I going to say? My arm’s not broken but it’s sore. I’m not having a shocking year but I’m not having the greatest year given what I should have done. The last three months have been a nightmare. I had such a good Indian Wells and Miami and Davis Cup, and things went downhill from there. It’s not the end of the world, I’ll probably get over it in half an hour. It is what it is.

Some words from the victor:

It’s like a dream to come back and play at this stadium. I’ve got the best memories of my career here. It’s so special, I’ll try to play my best tennis of the year here in New York.

He then tries to bag some free tickets for a Bruce Springsteen gig that’s taking place in New York. Well if you don’t ask you don’t get.

Meanwhile, there are two all-American encounters currently on court: Alison Riske leads the big-hitting New Yorker CoCo Vandeweghe 6-2, while Shelby Rogers and Kayla Day are level at one set all.

CiCi Bellis’s decision to give up a scholarship to Stanford and pursue her dream of being a professional tennis player has been vindicated this season, with the 18-year-old becoming the youngest player in the world’s top 100. But the Californian’s out of her home slam, losing 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 to Japan’s Nao Hibino.

While Del Potro looks good to come through this first-round match, that fifth point in the previous game summed up why he’s not often challenging at the business end of tournaments these days. His forehand remains one of the most fearsome in the game, fired down from his 6’6” frame, but too often he slices his backhand, the consequence of multiple wrist surgeries. The shot only keeps him in rallies; it doesn’t win them.

While Bedene is in danger of slipping two sets to love down at 4-2 with only 45 minutes gone, Del Potro is two sets to love up and has been going for over two hours. The 2009 champion is serving at 4-all in the third set, having taken the first 6-4 and the second 7-6. Del Potro has two game points at 40-15, but he’s too timid on the backhand, slicing, slicing and slicing until Laaksonen pulls the trigger. 40-30. But Laaksonen then throws in the error, and must hold serve to stay in this.

Bedene is already a break down in the second set, 3-1. This could be over rather quickly. Unfortunately I don’t have a feed of Court 8, so I can’t really offer up too much more.

I’m off to grab a quick bite. See you in 10 or so.

Kyle Edmund and Cameron Norrie, remember, are the other Brits in action later.

The first Brit of the day, Aljaz Bedene, has started on Court 8 but he hasn’t got going at all. He’s conceded the first set, 6-1, to the talented young Russian Andrey Rublev in only 21 minutes. Ouch.

The flashy Fabio Fognini is out, the 22nd seed surprisingly losing 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 6-0 to his fellow Italian Stefano Travaglia. Damir Dzumhur, the Bosnian No1 who was a child actor before fully focusing on tennis, has beaten the 27th seed, Pablo Cuevas 7-5, 7-6, 6-1. And Svetlana Kuznetsova, who won here as a 19-year-old in 2004, trails the Czech 18-year-old Marketa Vondrousova 6-4. Kuznetsova is having her left wrist taped between sets.

A much more mature performance from Del Potro on Ashe, meanwhile, he’s won the second set on a tie-break by seven points to three.

Millman speaks:

It’s a victory but it’s slightly hollow. On court he’s a great sport, good guy off the court, I feel for him.

It’s not been easy, I had groin surgery last year. I’ve played some good tennis at times since coming back but I’m still searching for consistency.

Millman has his game face on here, while Kyrgios looks resigned. It’s 15-40 on Kyrgios’s serve, and if Millman takes one of these break points, he’ll be serving for the match. Some late resistance from Kyrgios, who wins three points on the spin, and it’s his advantage. Millman gets it back to deuce but Kyrgios once again carves out his advantage. Kyrgios throws in a casual drop shot, which Millman punishes. Deuce. Advantage Millman. Deuce. Advantage Millman. Game Millman, 5-1. Kyrgios’s resistance proves ultimately futile.

Kyrgios does at least get his name on the board in this fourth set, to trail 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, 3-1. Not that I saw that service game, as I was taking a look at this:

Millman backs up the break, it’s 3-0, and he’s surely only a few games away from knocking out his compatriot. The spectators are still flooding into Louis Armstrong, though, such is the pull of Kyrgios. It’s compulsive viewing, even if it is uncomfortable to watch.

Kyrgios still has a bit of zip on his serve, the shoulder doesn’t seem to be affecting him too much in that respect, but he’s already a break down in the fourth set, 2-0.

The shoulder injury must be a problem for Kyrgios, but it would be interesting to see how another player would cope in the same situation. It would be hugely disappointing were he to exit in the first round for the second consecutive slam. He’s not been past the second round of a major this year, a record that does not reflect his immense talent, though there have been positives too, including back-to-back wins over Novak Djokovic in March and that Cincinnati final.

There’s no trainer at the next changeover for Kyrgios – his three treatments are up – so it’s all rather quiet as the Australian ponders having to hold serve to stay in the third set at 5-4 down. He slips 15-30 behind, and overcooks a lazy forehand to hand Millman two set points, 15-40. Another unforced error, another shake of the head from Kyrgios, and that’s the set, he trails 6-3, 1-6, 6-4. Kyrgios sends his racket flying and, because of the earlier code violation, is given a point penalty. Despite the shoulder injury, he does look like he’s going to continue.

Del Potro, remember, won the US Open in 2009 when he broke Roger Federer’s five-year stranglehold on the title. Surely several more slams would have followed were it not for the wrist problems that derailed his career. Few injuries are as debilitating for a tennis player as those to the wrist. The 28-year-old has had an underwhelming season, and hasn’t been beyond the third round at a major, and he’ll have to come through a tough quarter of the draw here.

A fist pump from Juan Martin del Potro on Arthur Ashe, as he bags the first set 6-4 against Switzerland’s Henri Laaksonen.

Kyrgios then rattles through his service game in double quick time, as if to stick two fingers up at Ramos. It’s 3-3 in the third.

Kyrgios is getting more treatment at the changeover, trailing 3-2 on serve in the third set. “It’s just so annoying,” he mutters. He’s even more frustrated when the umpire, Carlos Ramos, gives him a code violation for swearing. Kyrgios protests his innocence. “This is ridiculous,” he says. “I didn’t say anything.” The Kyrgios show continues. Love him or loathe him, it’s certainly eventful.

Grigor Dimitrov, having played so beautifully today, is serving for the match against the bearded Vaclav Safranek and is break point down. The seventh seed saves it but then slips break point down again. No bother. He brings up match point and settles matters with a fizzing forehand winner to progress 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.

Kyrgios is getting treatment on his right shoulder. “I wasn’t feeling it at all and then on one serve, I lost power in my arm,” he tells the trainer. It’s the same shoulder that caused him to retire in Washington. It was his third retirement in a row, after Queen’s and Wimbledon, where he struggled with the hip problem that has disrupted his season. Surely he’s not going to quit again today? He’s even had one of the ball kids helping him exercise the shoulder. There’s never a dull moment when Kyrgios is involved.

Kyrgios is serving to level up against Millman. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, 40-15, ace, so that’s the game and second set, 6-1.

Monfils, like Kyrgios, is arguably an underachiever, though injuries have played a big part in Monfils not making the most of his talent. But Monfils has won today, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 in that all-French affair against Chardy. He’ll play the American Donald Young next. Berdych has wrapped up victory too, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 against Harrison.

Kyrgios seems to have emerged from his funk. He breaks as Millman slaps into the net, though the way Kyrgios shakes his head you’d think he’d just thrown the break point away. Kyrgios has to scrap – something he’s not always particularly keen to do – to consolidate the break. He’s 4-1 up in the second but trails by a set to love.

Some reading for you:

It’s all going rather well for Grigor Dimitrov on Grandstand, he’s now two sets to the good, 6-1, 6-4, against Vaclav Safranek, and is serving superbly. Tomas Berdych also leads by two sets to love, 6-4, 6-2, against one of the home hopes, Ryan Harrison. And it’s a similar scoreline for Gael Monfils, 7-6, 6-3 against his fellow Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.

Richard Gasquet is gone, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 to Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer. He should have been a grand slam contender, he could have been a grand slam contender, but it’s a second first-round exit on the spin at a major for the 31-year-old.

The giant has been slayed, the 6’11” Ivo Karlovic losing 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 to the American wildcard Bjorn Fratangelo.

And has it been baffling or brilliant from the enigma that is Nick Kyrgios in the first set? Baffling, because he’s lost it 6-3.

Bouchard is probably relieved that Juan Martin del Potro is sandwiched between her and Maria Sharapova on the Arthur Ashe schedule, given her comments about Sharapova when the Russian returned from her 15-month drug ban. At least she shouldn’t be bumping into her rival in the locker room today. Though there again, Bouchard did rather enjoy her meeting with Sharapova in Madrid in May - one of the rare highlights for Bouchard this year.

It’s all over for Bouchard on Arthur Ashe. The Canadian is bumped out in the first round for the second consecutive year, a final forlorn backhand slumping into the net – her 46th unforced error of the day – as she loses 7-6, 6-1 to Evgeniya Rodina. For the Russian, it’s her first grand slam match win of 2017.

Dimitrov and Kyrgios are the fifth and sixth favourites with the bookies for the title what with Murray, Djokovic and Wawrinka being absent. But they could have their work cut out to make it out of their respective sections of the draw: Dimitrov is in Nadal’s quarter, while Kyrgios could play Federer in the last eight.

Speaking of Dimitrov, the rejuvenated Bulgarian has blitzed his way through the first set, 6-1, against the Czech Vaclav Safranek, and leads 4-2 in the second.

Svitolina’s victory on Louis Armstrong means the Nick Kyrgios show is getting under way on that court. The 22-year-old with incredible talent but questionable temperament is up against his fellow Australian John Millman. Kyrgios continues to mix flashes of brilliance with disappointing defeats and, after stunning Rafael Nadal in Cincinnati this month, slumped to a timid loss to Grigor Dimitrov in the final.

Some results to bring you: three Americans are through, Donald Young, Jennifer Brady and Nicole Gibbs, but Patrick Kypson is out. And Francesca Schiavone, the surprise 2010 French Open champion who is still playing at the ripe old age of 37, has been outlasted in three sets by Kaia Kanepi, 0-6, 6-4, 6-2. Another 37-year-old will be in action much later, as Venus Williams continues her campaign in the second night match on Arthur Ashe.

Bouchard’s crisis in confidence is hard to explain. When she reached the Wimbledon final in 2014 she was oozing confidence, it was almost unnerving how much self-belief she had. But since then she’s been beyond the fourth round of a slam only once. The 23-year-old’s down at 76 in the world rankings and, after four straight first-round defeats earlier this year, dropped down to playing on the ITF circuit. She recently spent some time hitting with Andre Agassi in Las Vegas in a bid to arrest her decline and also linked up with Gil Reyes, Agassi’s former trainer, for some physical conditioning. But, given her form in that first set, it doesn’t look to have given her the boost she needs.

Bouchard and Rodina are into a first-set tie-break. It’s going by rather quickly. Rodina 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0. The unforced errors are flying off Bouchard’s racket. The shadow formed by the new(ish) roof means that Bouchard is hidden in darkness at the moment, which seems rather appropriate. 4-1, which breaks a run of eight consecutive points for Rodina. 5-1. 6-1. Five set points. Rodina isn’t having to do anything to win this tie-break. Bouchard’s unforced error count is at 24. This is horrible to watch. Rodina fails on the first set point but secures the second, taking the breaker seven points to two.

Svitolina is one of six players who can end the tournament as the world No1. You’ve got to love the unpredictability of the women’s game, even though it is crying out for a few more personalities at the top.

Two match points for Svitolina on Louis Armstrong, at 40-15, 5-3 in the third set. Siniakova’s return whistles long and that’s that, the fourth seed wins 6-0, 6-7, 6-3. Svitolina survives. She’ll be mightily relieved given the edgy way in which she lost the second-set tie-break and went 2-0 down in the third. Svitolina will next play the winner of the match currently on Arthur Ashe between Bouchard and Rodina. That’s 5-5 in the opening set.

News of the first upset of the day. The women’s 14th seed, Kristina Mladenovic, is out, going down in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, to Romania’s Monica Niculescu.

Svitolina, having been a break down in the third set against Siniakova, has two chances to go a break up but can’t capitalise. Deuce. But here’s a third opportunity at her advantage. And this one she does take. That’s four games on the spin. She leads 4-2. Svitolina’s boyfriend is the England and Hampshire cricketer Reece Topley, so in the absence of any British women in the draw following Johanna Konta and Heather Watson’s defeats, perhaps in Britain we can claim her as one of our own.

Bouchard and Svitolina are both back on serve. Meanwhile, a quick word on yesterday’s action. If you didn’t know who Frances Tiafoe was before last night, you do now. The 19-year-old underlined his tremendous potential, in front of his home crowd, by giving Roger Federer a five-set fright under the lights. You can read our match report here.

Is there cause for concern for Federer? Here’s Sports Illustrated’s view.

The first winner of the day! Thiem is through in no time, whizzing through the third set 6-1 to seal a one-sided victory. Could the 23-year-old challenge for the title? Possibly. But he’s in Federer and Nadal’s half of the draw. And he’s still better on clay than he is on hard courts.

And it’s much the same story for Bouchard on Ashe, who also trails by a break, 2-1, but that’s in the opening set.

Svitolina has had an impressive season, winning five titles, and although she still has something to prove at slam level, is considered among the contenders here. But the 22-year-old Ukrainian hasn’t got started today: after conceding that second set on a tie-break, she’s a break down, 2-1, in the third set.

And if that’s not enough for you: the Americans Donald Young, Jennifer Brady, Nicole Gibbs and Patrick Kypson are also back under way.

The talented Dominic Thiem leads Australia’s Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-1, 2-0, Richard Gasquet is level at one set all, 6-3, 2-6, against Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer, the giant Ivo Karlovic is a set down but 4-3 up in the second against the American Bjorn Fratangelo and the 37-year-old Francesca Schiavone is 6-0, 3-5 against Kaia Kanepi.

Bouchard v Rodina is a first-round match, as are all of the other contests getting under way around the grounds. There’s an all-French affair between Gael Monfils and Jeremy Chardy, Tomas Berdych plays the American Ryan Harrison, while there are several players with unfinished business to resolve.

The women’s fourth seed, Elina Svitolina, resumed on Louis Armstrong a set up and in a second-set tie-break against the Czech Katerina Siniakova, who’s snatched it seven points to five. So that’ll be settled in a decider.

Are you ready? Let’s play. Kicking off the action on Arthur Ashe is Eugenie Bouchard against Russia’s Evgeniya Rodina. Bouchard is a rather curious choice for the main court given her struggles in recent years. The 2014 Wimbledon finalist, who was once ranked as high as five in the world, is now down at 76. And you wouldn’t think the US Open has much goodwill towards the Canadian when it comes to scheduling, given her ongoing lawsuit against the USTA, after she slipped on the locker room floor and suffered concussion in 2015.