Sloane Stephens of the US reacts during her match against Clara Burel of France during the night session of Day 1 of the U.S. Open at Arthur Ash Stadium on Aug. 26, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New ...

Sloane Stephens, of the United States, reacts against Clara Burel, of France, during a first round match of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in New York.

The first day of the U.S. Open ended in heartbreaking fashion for one American, as former tournament champion Sloane Stephens blew a sizable lead en route to another first-round exit.