The US Open is underway in some style, with both defending champions kickstarting their campaigns in style.

Coco Gauff cruised past Varvara Gracheva to begin the defence of her women’s singles title, while Novak Djokovic was in sublime form as he saw off Radu Albot in his mission for a fifth US Open crown.

Gauff and Djokovic may have easily navigated the start of their title defences – but not every former champion has been so lucky.

We look back at the four reigning US Open champions who have been beaten in round one of their title defences.

Pat Rafter – 1999

Former world No 1 Rafter became the first player in history to be defeated in the opening round of his US Open title defence 25 years ago.

The greatest successes of the Australian’s career came at Flushing Meadows, beating Greg Rusedski to win his first title in 1997 and then compatriot Mark Philippoussis to defend his title in 1998.

Rafter was the fourth seed heading into the event in 1999 and was seeded fourth, and started brightly – racing to a two-set lead against two-time major finalist Cedric Pioline.

But the Australian was struggling with tendonitis and, after the Frenchman levelled the match, Rafter retired just one game into the deciding set.

He was trailing 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 1-0 to Pioline when he retired, and he is still the only man to lose in the opening round of his title defence.

Svetlana Kuznetsova – 2005

Two decades ago, Kuznetsova achieved one the greatest triumphs of her career, becoming the first Russian woman to win the title in New York after beating compatriot Elena Dementieva in the final.

But a year later it was an entirely different story for the world No 2, who was the fifth seed at the 2005 US Open – but was struggling with a back injury at the time.

Kuznetsova was still a heavy favourite against compatriot Ekaterina Bychkova, but the world 97 – making her Grand Slam debut – eased her way to a 6-3, 6-2 victory.

Kuznetsova bounced back to reach the final again in 2007 and won her second Grand Slam singles title at the French Open in 2009.

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Angelique Kerber – 2017

One of the greatest players of the past decade, former world No 1 and three-time Grand Slam winner Kerber’s career was rightfully hailed following her retirement at the Olympics.

Eight years ago the German won the second of her three major titles in New York, capping off her rise to the No 1 ranking with a thrilling three-set triumph over Karolina Pliskova.

However, 2017 was a difficult season for Kerber, who never really found her best form, and perhaps her lowest point came at the US Open.

The sixth seed was trounced 6-3, 6-1 by future champion Naomi Osaka in the opening round, and fell out of the top 10 as a result – though she responded by winning Wimbledon the following year.

Emma Raducanu – 2022

Raducanu’s US Open triumph in 2021 remains one of the most famous Slam runs, with the Brit still the only qualifier to lift a Grand Slam singles title.

Aged only 18, Raducanu did not drop a set on her way to victory, beating Leylah Fernandez in an all-teenage final to lift the trophy.

Her struggles since then have been well-documented, and one of her most difficult moments came in New York a year after her epic run.

Raducanu was seeded 11th but was unable to handle the experienced Alize Cornet, beaten 6-3, 6-3 by the Frenchwoman as her title defence came to a halt.

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