Reigning US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, who had won the title in 2004, faced an unexpected defeat in the first round of the 2005 tournament.
The US Open, known for its dramatic matches and high-stakes encounters, has witnessed some of the most astonishing upsets in tennis history. From reigning champions falling early to unexpected victories by unseeded players, the tournament has provided plenty of surprises over the years. Here’s a look at ten of the most significant upsets in US Open history.
In what was Serena Williams’ final Grand Slam appearance, the 40-year-old veteran managed to topple the №2 seed, Anett Kontaveit, in a gripping three-set match. Williams won 7–6 (7–4), 2–6, 6–2, defying the odds and becoming the oldest player to defeat a top-three seed in WTA history. Despite this victory, Williams exited the tournament in the next round, while Kontaveit continued her quest for a Grand Slam semifinal appearance.
Frances Tiafoe delivered a significant blow to Rafael Nadal in the 2022 US Open Round of 16, with a score of 6–4, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3. This match was particularly noteworthy as it might have marked the end of Nadal’s Grand Slam career, given his subsequent struggles with injuries. Tiafoe’s win was celebrated as a breakthrough moment in his career, propelling him into his first Grand Slam semifinal.
Reigning US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, who had won the title in 2004, faced an unexpected defeat in the first round of the 2005 tournament. Unseeded Ekaterina Bychkova emerged victorious with a score of 6–3, 6–2. This loss was particularly shocking as Kuznetsova became the first defending champion in US Open history to be eliminated in the first round.
In 2000, Andre Agassi, the defending US Open champion and world №1, faced a surprising defeat at the hands of unseeded Arnaud Clement. Clement won in straight sets: 6–3, 6–2, 6–4. Agassi, who had been in excellent form the previous year, was left stunned by Clement’s performance.
Sloane Stephens pulled off a remarkable upset in the 2017 US Open semifinals by defeating the №9 seed Venus Williams with a score of 6–1, 0–6, 7–5. Stephens, who was unseeded and had not previously advanced past the quarterfinals in her five previous US Open appearances, went on to win the title by defeating Madison Keys in the final.
In the 2009 US Open final, Juan Martin del Potro delivered a stunning performance to defeat Roger Federer, the world’s top-ranked player, with a score of 3–6, 7–6 (7–5), 4–6, 7–6 (7–4), 6–2. Federer was the five-time defending champion and was aiming to win a record sixth consecutive US Open title. Del Potro’s victory not only ended Federer’s streak but also marked his first Grand Slam win.
In one of the most shocking upsets, unseeded Roberta Vinci defeated Serena Williams, the №1 seed, in the semifinals of the 2015 US Open. Vinci won 2–6, 6–4, 6–4, ending Williams’ quest for a calendar Grand Slam. Vinci, who had not faced a seeded player until then, went on to lose to Flavia Pennetta in the final.
Julie Coin, ranked №188, achieved a significant upset by defeating the world №1 Ana Ivanovic in the second round of the 2008 US Open. Coin won 6–3, 4–6, 6–3. The match was particularly surprising given Coin’s low ranking and the fact that Ivanovic had just won the French Open the previous year.
In the 1986 US Open first round, Paul Annacone overcame the ninth-seeded John McEnroe with a score of 1–6, 6–1, 6–3, 6–3. McEnroe, who had reached the finals in 1984 and 1985, was in poor form due to injuries. Annacone’s win was a clear sign of McEnroe’s declining dominance.
Alexander Volkov stunned the tennis world in 1990 by defeating the №1 seed Stefan Edberg in the first round with a score of 6–3, 7–6 (7–3), 6–2. Edberg, who would go on to win the US Open in 1991 and 1992, was unable to overcome Volkov in this early-round clash.
