‘That’s a shocker’: Former World No. 1 knocked out by unseeded qualifier in huge US Open upset

It hasn’t taken long for the US Open to see its first major upset, with a former world No. 1 knocked out by a grand slam debutant.

Simona Halep and Daria Snigur.

Two-time grand slam champion Simona Halep has been knocked out of the US Open, suffering a shock defeat to unseeded Ukrainian Daria Snigur on Tuesday morning AEST.

The 20-year-old Snigur stunned Halep, the 2019 Wimbledon champion, 6-2 0-6 6-4 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in her grand slam debut.

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The Romanian was one of the favourites leading into the US Open, but her Flushing Meadows campaign has been cut short by a qualifier who currently sits at No. 125 on the WTA rankings.

Snigur broke Halep’s serve five times and forced 15 break points, finishing with 11 winners and 27 unforced errors.

Halep, meanwhile, had an uncharacteristic 30 unforced errors.

“I’m very happy,” Snigur said after the triumph.

“I’m very, very, very nervous, but I tried to do my best.

“For Ukraine, for my family... I want to say thank you, all.”

Halep, who had won 19 of her past 22 matches, was in tears as she exited the court; it marks the fourth time the former world No. 1 has been knocked out of the US Open in the first round.

Snigur, a former junior world No. 2, will face either Poland’s Magdalena Frech or Canada’s Rebecca Marino in the second round.

Daria Snigur, a 20-year-old qualifier from Ukraine playing in her 1st grand slam, just upset No. 7 seed Simona Halep in the 1st round of the #USOpen.

Special sports moment right here. pic.twitter.com/M0ikEQWI6k

— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) August 29, 2022

No. 7 seed Simona Halep out of the US Open in the first round after losing 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 to 20-year-old Ukrainian qualifier Daria Snigur, making her Grand Slam debut

That's a shocker

— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) August 29, 2022

Big shock as Simona Halep is dumped out by Daria Snigur 6-3 0-6 6-4.

Ukrainian was Wimbledon junior champion three years ago but this is a massive result for her.#USOpen

— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) August 29, 2022

Elsewhere, British icon Andy Murray marked the 10th anniversary of his maiden grand slam triumph with an impressive US Open straight sets win over Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.

The 35-year-old defeated the 24th seed 7-5, 6-3, 6-3, showing no signs of recent cramping problems which plagued his hardcourt summer.

“It felt like five sets,” said Murray after his first straight sets victory at the slams since Wimbledon in 2017.

“They were very tricky conditions, very hot and humid. Just really happy to get through that one.”

Murray won the first of his three grand slams at the US Open in 2012, ending Britain’s 76-year wait for a men’s champion at the majors.

“It seems like a long time ago when I won here. A lot has happened in my career since then but it was huge moment for me.”

Now ranked 51, Murray will face American wildcard Emilio Nava for a place in the last 32.

– with AFP