US Open: A look at the last 5 players to win their maiden Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows

Modified Aug 21, 2019 15:40 GMT

Andy Murray won the first of his three Slams at the US Open

#1 Lleyton Hewitt (2001)

20-year-old Lleyton Hewitt of Australia arrived at the 2001 US Open after winning titles in Sydney, Queens and s-Hertogenbosch.

In only his third appearance at Flushing Meadows, Hewitt had a straight-set first-round win over Swede Magnus Gustafsson before overturning a two-sets-to-one deficit in the second round against James Blake to reach the third round.

Successive wins over Spaniard Albert Portas and Germany's Tommy Haas carried Hewitt onto his second quarter-final at the US Open.

In a hard-fought last-eight clash, Hewitt dropped the opening set and then the fourth set against the big-serving American teenager Andy Roddick before taking a 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win. It made him return to the semi-finals where he dropped only four games against Kafelnikov to reach his first Grand Slam final against 13-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras.

The American's bid to land a record-equalling fifth US Open title was thwarted for a second straight year in the title match, as Hewitt emerged a straight-set victor to win his maiden Grand Slam title.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 18 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee