World number one Djokovic, also the 2011 victor in NY and chasing his third major of the year, defeated Jerzy Janowicz of Poland 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.
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Asked about his health during an on-court interview, Djokovic deflected the question, saying: “I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about this now”.
Uncle Toni’s take? “I hope every day we can play a little bit better”.
Djokovic had to call for a medical time-out just five games into the contest inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, when a trainer massaged the upper part of his right arm.
During the match, Djokovic hit first serves around 100 miles per hour, sometimes slower – 25 miles per hour or so below what’s normal for him.
He flexed that right arm, the one he has used to wield a racket on the way to 12 Grand Slam titles, and appeared generally unhappy, covering his head with a white towel at changeovers. “So hopefully as the tournament progresses, I’ll reach my peak”. Monday’s schedule includes these all-American matches: No. 8 Madison Keys vs. Alison Riske on Ashe at night, No. 20 John Isner vs. Frances Tiafoe, No. 26 Jack Sock vs. 18-year-old Taylor Fritz, and Madison Brengle vs. Kayla Day.
This was the No. 1-ranked Djokovic’s first match at a major since losing to Sam Querrey in the third round of Wimbledon, which ended the Serb’s bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam after titles at the Australian Open and French Open.
World number one Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, admits he is “not 100 percent” after suffering a wrist injury on the eve of the Olympic Games where he was a shock first-round loser. “Look, each day presents us some kind of challenges that we need to accept and overcome”.
“There is no wind”, Nadal said.
Angelique Kerber needed just over 30 minutes to get her pursuit of a first US Open off to a winning start Monday as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal prepared to make their bow.
Nadal, who progressed through to the second round, wished his arch-rival Federer speedy recovery and stated that it was very tough to see the players outside of the tour, Sport24 reported.
The seventh-seeded Cilic beat 108th-ranked Rogerio Dutra Silva, 6-4, 7-5, 6-1, despite posting more unforced errors than winners (24-23).
Kerber, who lost to Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final, has a chance to overtake her for the No. 1 ranking depending on their results at Flushing Meadows.
The final Grand Slam of the season is just started and we already had some very interesting matches, that are simply unreached outside the big stage of the Majors, with thrills and drama all over the place.
This honour went to Edmund who despite being ranked 85th in the world managed to knock out Richard Gasquet.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this first round match at the US Open from 9am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Next up for Keys, who twice received treatment on her right shoulder, is another American, 16-year-old Kayla Day, the USA national junior champion and youngest player in the draw. Djokovic controlled much of that match and looked dominant in the three sets he won.
There were long rallies and close games early on, but the top seed succeeded thanks to his consistency throughout the match.
Last year’s surprise finalist in the women’s tournament, Roberta Vinci, sailed past her first-round opponent Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany 6-2 6-4.
Former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki began trying to correct an injury-plagued season of poor form, beating U.S. player Taylor Townsend 4-6 6-3 6-4.
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Third-seed Spaniard Garbine Muguruza came from a set down to secure a 2-6 6-love 6-3 win over Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens in the opening round.
