Richard Gasquet has avoided an early exit at the US Open after Thanasi Kokkinakis suffered severe cramp during their first-round match.

Kokkinakis had looked on course for a surprise win after opening up a two-sets-to-one lead over the 12th seed.

However, during the fourth set, the young Australian began to suffer problems with cramp, and Gasquet was able to take advantage to level the match.

The Frenchman broke at the start of the fifth to leave Kokkinakis on the brink of elimination but, with his fitness issues getting worse, the 19-year-old opted to withdraw to hand his opponent a spot in the last 64.