Novak Djokovic got off to a perfect start at the US Open. The Olympic champion cruised past Moldova's Radu Albot 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 in just over two hours of play on the Arthur Ashe. In doing so, the Serbian equalled Roger Federer's record of 89 victories in New York. Only Jimmy Connors (98) is ahead of the two legends.
Djokovic didn't show his best game against Albot, but he didn't need to. The four-time US Open champion committed 10 double faults in the match, 40 unchallenged in total and hit a 46 per cent first serve.
In the first set, the two went game for game, but in the fifth Djokovic broke through and took the lead 3:2. The Serbian solidified the break and made another one for 5:2, then took his serve - 6:2. Nole reached a break for 2:1 in the second set, but Albot managed to make a re-break. Immediately after that, the Serbian made a breakthrough again - 3:2. A new break was reached for 5:2 and Djokovic took the part again at 6:2. The third set was the most difficult for Novak Djokovic, who made only one break, but it was enough for him. The world number two broke for 4:3, took the set 6:4 and won the match 3:0.
The Serbian, who is chasing his 25th Slam title, faces compatriot Laszlo Jere in the second round.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev also started with a win at the final Grand Slam of the year. He prevailed over his compatriot Maximilian Marterer 6:2, 6:7(5), 6:3, 6:2 in two hours and 57 minutes of play.
The two traded a break in the second set, but Marterer prevailed in the tiebreak to level before Alexander Zverev won the next two sets.
The 13th-seeded American Ben Shelton eliminated the Austrian Dominic Thiem after 6:4, 6:2, 6:2. For Thiem, the 2020 tournament champion, it was his last match at the US Open. A few months ago, the Austrian announced that he would end his career at the end of the season. | BGNES
