2025 Flushing Meadows Opening Day Schedule: Four Chinese Stars Face Tough Opponents, Djokovic and Sabalenka to Appear

The 2025 Flushing Meadows opening day schedule has been announced, with the main draw beginning at 11:00 PM Beijing time on August 24. Four Chinese stars will appear that day. Wang Yafan, competing with a protected ranking, will play the third match on the Grandstand court against local favorite and 10th seed Navarro, marking their first encounter. Last year, Wang advanced to the fourth round, her career-best Grand Slam round of 16, and this year she strives to maintain her ranking points. Zhang Shuai, who qualified through the preliminary rounds, will close the day on Court 17 against the 16th seed, Swiss player Bencic.

Wang Yafan

Zhang Shuai

Wang Xiyu

Zhu Lin

Also coming through the qualifiers, Wang Xiyu will play the third match on Court 11, facing the 25th seed Ostapenko. Wang has lost both previous matches against this Grand Slam champion, making her path challenging if she hopes to advance. Similarly, Zhu Lin, entering with a protected ranking, will appear in the third match on Court 13 against Potapova. The two have met twice before, with Zhu yet to claim a victory.

Sabalenka

Djokovic

On Arthur Ashe Stadium, 6th seed Shelton will open the event against qualifier Buset. Defending champion Sabalenka will follow, facing Masarova. Four-time tournament winner and 7th seed Djokovic will play the night session against local rising star Lener Chen. Last year’s runner-up Pegula will close the night against Sherif. Top American Fritz, 7th seed Paolini, and former champions Medvedev and Raducanu will appear on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Complete Schedule for Day One of 2025 Flushing Meadows

(Text, editing, schedule by Wang Fei; images by Visual China, Li Jianyi)