Novak Djokovic says he was relieved to have progressed at the US Open following his battling opening win over Jerzy Janowicz.
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American Madison Keys overcame compatriot Alison Riske in a closely-fought match to reach round two.
Nadal and Djokovic admitted that they miss old sparring partner Roger Federer who was forced to skip the US Open for the first time since 1999.
Nadal ran his record in NY first-round contests to 12-0; Istomin has now lost 21 straight matches against top-10 opponents.
NEW YORK (AP) – The victory came on clay, and it came 4 1/2 months ago.
Djokovic next faces Czech Jiri Vesely, a five-set victor over Indian qualifier Saketh Myneni.
Vesely said: ‘Monday’s match didn’t help the arm.
“It’s getting better and better each day”, Djokovic said.
In the women’s event, second seeded Angelique Kerber, the Australian Open champion, needed just 33 minutes to progress but Roland Garros victor Garbine Muguruza required three sets and a visit from the doctor before she survived.
Heading into the U.S. Open, Djokovic spoke about a left wrist injury that flared up before the Rio Olympics, where he lost in the first round. He repeatedly winced and shook out the arm, his serves far slower than usual.
Djokovic bounced back immediately, though, as he snatched a break at the first time of asking before wrapping up the third set in 33 minutes.
Vesely, 23, ranked 49th in the world, beat Djokovic in the second round at the ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo event in April in their only meeting, making him one of two top 100 players with more wins than losses against the Serbian. The only thing you can do when the ball’s coming at you at that speed is pray and get out of the way.
A former No. 1, Wozniacki is now ranked 74th after dealing with an ankle injury and a series of losses. It was something that me or every young player would be excited to play on the biggest court on our tour against Novak, the No 1 in the world.
Meanwhile, Simona Halep gave herself “less than 9” for her quick work against Kirsten Flipkens, 6-0, 6-2, in the first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium even as countrywoman Nadia Comaneci cheered her on. Conditions are quite suitable to my style of the game.
Opening ceremony featured award-winning actors Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon as well as former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and Flavia Pennetta, the shock victor of the US Open women’s title past year.
Also exiting was Olympic champion Monica Puig with the Puerto Rican losing 6-4, 6-2 to China’s Zheng Saisai.
The 21-year-old Brit won 6-2 6-2 6-3 on Monday against the 2013 US Open semi-finalist.
On Tuesday, Andy Murray will play against Czech Republic’s Lukas Rosol, who’s famous for beating Rafael Nadal in Wimbledon in 2012. Fellow Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, the French Open champ, faces 48th-ranked Anastasija Sevastova to open the session.
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Second seed Angelique Kerber, the silver medalist in Rio, had easy progress into round two after Slovenian opponent Polona Hercog retired while trailing 6-0 1-0.
