US Open 2025, Order of Play: Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka headline opening day

The 2025 US Open gets underway on Sunday, 24 August, with a blockbuster lineup on Day 1, featuring global superstars Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka headlining the action at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Indian tennis fans can tune in late Sunday evening and through the night as the first Grand Slam round unfolds in dramatic fashion.

Novak Djokovic begins his campaign for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world's largest tennis arena. The Olympic champion will face talented American teenager Learner Tien in the night session, scheduled to begin at 4:30 AM IST (Monday, 25 August).

Tien, who has taken down four top-10 players this year, will look to stun the Serbian legend, who is aiming to make history once again.

Before Djokovic takes the stage, defending women's singles champion Aryna Sabalenka will launch her title defence against Swiss challenger Rebeka Masarova. Their match is the second of the day at Arthur Ashe and is expected to begin around 11:30 PM IST (Sunday, 24 August).

Sabalenka, the world number one, will look to bounce back after three consecutive deep runs in Slams this season - including two final defeats. She's aiming to become the first woman to defend the US Open title in over a decade.

"This place is so big, and it feels bigger than the other slams in some ways," Sabalenka said. "I would love to finish the season with a Grand Slam and world number one."

One of the day's most anticipated clashes is former champion Daniil Medvedev taking on Benjamin Bonzi. The Russian has yet to beat the Frenchman, having lost in their previous two meetings, including a stunner at Wimbledon this year. The match is expected around 2:30 AM IST, and could be one of the early thrillers of the tournament.

"Whatever I did on the court, it was not bothering him too much," Medvedev said after his Wimbledon loss. "Everything he did was tough for me to play."

Last year's runner-up Jessica Pegula takes on Egypt's Mayar Sherif as she aims for her maiden Slam title in front of a home crowd. The 31-year-old New Yorker believes the US Open energy can lift her to new heights.

"It's just very electric, rowdy, fun, a little bit chaotic," Pegula said. "But I feel like it's just New York in a nutshell."

US OPEN ORDER OF PLAY

Arthur Ashe Stadium (All timings in IST, Monday, 25 August)

9:30 PM (Sunday, 24 Aug): 6-Ben Shelton (USA) vs Ignacio Buse (Peru)

11:30 PM: 1-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) vs Rebeka Masarova (Switzerland)

4:30 AM (Monday): 7-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs Learner Tien (USA)

Followed by: 4-Jessica Pegula (USA) vs Mayar Sherif (Egypt)

Louis Armstrong Stadium (All timings in IST, Sunday night into Monday)

8:30 PM: Emma Raducanu (Britain) vs Ena Shibahara (Japan)

Followed by (~10:00 PM): Emilio Nava (USA) vs 4-Taylor Fritz (USA)

~12:30 AM (Monday): Destanee Aiava (Australia) vs 7-Jasmine Paolini (Italy)

~2:30 AM (Monday): 13-Daniil Medvedev (Russia) vs Benjamin Bonzi (France)