BIG-SERVING Sam Groth saved Australia from an on-court bloodbath in day one of the US Open, stealing victory when his opponent bowed out with an elbow injury. 
Five Aussies took to the court yesterday, with Groth the only survivor, leading 4-6 6-1 7-5 when Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov abruptly retired.
Australians weren't the only round-one casualties with men's fourth seed - and -defending runner-up - Kei Nishikori, of Japan, bowing out to Frenchman Benoit Paire.
It's the first time in more than 20 years a defending -finalist has lost in the first round.
Seventh seed Ana Ivanovic, American Sloane Stephens and eighth seed Karolina Pliskova all lost.
Groth, the world No.55, said he was disappointed his fellow Australians went down in a tough first day, but declared "one of my biggest strengths is my fight".
"Obviously you follow the scores throughout the day, but I was definitely just out there trying to get a win for me. Glad we didn't finish zero in five and have no one playing on Wednesday," he said.
Last year's final 16 surprise Casey Dellacqua lost to Estonian qualifier Anett Kontaveit 7-5 6-2, qualifier Matt Ebden went down to 17th seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-2 6-4 and Queenslander John Millman lost to Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-1 3-6 7-6 6-4.
"She was going to throw the kitchen sink at me, and she did," Dellacqua said of her match with Kontaveit.Young rising star Daria -Gavrilova went down 6-2 4-6 7-5 to Russian Daria Kasatkina.