He winced and grimaced his way though the match, struggling with a right arm that required treatment from a trainer after only five games. “I’m glad that I’m experiencing that”, Djokovic said. I’m through. I’m taking it day-by-day. He’s a very, you know, potent player, powerful serve, big forehands. He hit second serves in the low 80s. He flexed that right arm, the one he has used to wield a racquet on the way to his 12 grand slam titles, and appeared generally unhappy.
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Djokovic’s coach, Boris Becker, gnawed on his fingernails, looking nervous as can be. He lost in the third round at Wimbledon, then after a title in Toronto, fell in the first round at the Olympics, bothered by a left wrist injury.
Now it is Vesely at Flushing Meadows, the world No49 who prevailed in their only previous meeting at Monte Carlo in April, becoming one of only four men to defeat Djokovic in a completed match since November.
Seventh seed Marin Cilic saw off Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-4 7-5 6-1 and 10th seed Gael Monfils beat Gilles Muller 6-4 6-2 7-6 (7/5).
The first day of the 2016 US Open has passed and most of the big names, led by Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza, have progressed to round two in contrasting ways.
Djokovic insisted afterwards that his injury issues are improving and admitted that he was simply pleased to have booked his progress at Flushing Meadows.
“I started cramping midway through the second set”. And 26th-seeded Jack Sock’s five-set victory over 18-year-old Taylor Fritz in another all-American matchup.
Her path to a fourth round rematch against Johanna Konta, who beat the Spaniard in the second round past year, was eased when Olympic gold medallist Monica Puig became the first notable casualty of the tournament.
Opening the first night session of the tournament, Djokovic and Janowicz had to wait for the conclusion of a lavish ceremony to unveil the stadium’s new USA dollars 150million roof, before it was their turn to play.
Nadal said he is re-energised being in NY after feeling tired two weeks ago in Cincinnati, where he lost his second match after flying in from Rio.
The bad news for Nadal?
“After all I’ve been through in the last couple of weeks it’s pleasing to finish the match and win it”. So I need to find again the normal movement. Nadal, of course, is a lefty who relies on that wing for his heavy topspin forehand that is among the best strokes in the game.
Istomin, ranked 107th, was not likely to give Nadal much of a test.
Novak Djokovic made the last 32 of a major for the 33rd successive time without hitting a ball at the US Open Wednesday as Caroline Wozniacki stopped the rot eating away at her career.
The 2-time champion never really found top flight in the match., though he never really had to either.
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The two-time US Open champion will next play Italy’s Andreas Seppi. “I’ve played a lot of tennis and I think often it’s been the case at the US Open that guys at this stage of this year are tired”.
