Novak Djokovic started his quest to grow to be the primary participant to seize 25 Grand Slam titles with victory beneath the brilliant lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium in opposition to Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.
Having accomplished the profession Golden Slam – successful all 4 Grand Slam titles and the Olympic gold – Djokovic is aiming to seize a twenty fifth main crown that may see him transfer previous Margaret Courtroom and take sole possession of the all-time document.
The world No 2, who’s favorite to grow to be the primary participant to efficiently defend his New York title since Roger Federer in 2008, eased to a snug 6-2 6-2 6-4 win in opposition to Albot to assert a record-breaking 78th win on the primary showcourt at Flushing Meadows.
The 37-year-old Serb mentioned: “I wasn’t aware of it to be honest. It’s the biggest stadium, definitely the loudest we have in the history of our sport.
“The night time periods are the very best on this planet on Arthur Ashe and ever because the roof was launched it grew to become even louder. Electrical ambiance. Unbelievable power.
“Clearly with some new guidelines this yr with the gang in a position to transfer round, there are a variety of issues taking place on court docket.
“We’re clocking midnight proper now. I really like night time periods, possibly not this late however however it was nice enjoyable.
“I wanted to kickstart the tournament in the right way and I think I did.”
The four-time US Open champion had greater than sufficient weapons to deal with the Moldovan journeyman of their first assembly.
Whereas having by no means performed Albot earlier than, Djokovic mentioned he had carried out his homework on the 34-year-old, who beat each his youthful brothers Marko and Djordje throughout their enjoying days.
Djokovic duly avenged the household title in three units, closing out the match with a giant serve to arrange an all-Serbian conflict with Laslo Djere for a spot within the third spherical.
Story of the Tape
Stephens knocked out as teen star Jovic wins
Clara Burel fought again from being bageled within the first set to defeat 2017 champion Sloane Stephens 0-6 7-5 7-5, kicking off the opening night time session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Burel seemed rattled within the glare of the New York highlight however after settling down and eliminating some clumsy errors early on she outfoxed her extra skilled opponent to advance to a second-round match in opposition to Victoria Azarenka.
“I was a little bit nervous at the beginning and Sloane was playing really well,” mentioned Frenchwoman Burel. “I just kept fighting and I found a way.”
Burel grew to become the primary participant within the Open Period to win a ladies’s singles match 0-6 7-5 7-5 on the US Open, and solely the second total at a Grand Slam occasion after Marta Marrero on the French Open 24 years in the past.
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka received her twenty fourth WTA-level match on arduous court docket in 2024 with a 6-3 6-3 victory in opposition to Priscilla Hon.
“I think even though I didn’t play my best tennis, I was fighting for every point and I was trying to use any shot that was working today,” mentioned the 26-year-old, who got here to New York having received the title in Cincinnati.
“I’m happy even though I didn’t feel my best on court today, I was able to win in straight sets. Especially against someone like her.. very tricky player. She played really aggressive, great tennis today. It wasn’t easy facing her in the first round.”
Teen star on the US Open
Teenager Iva Jovic shocked Magda Linette within the first spherical
Iva Jovic, a 16-year-old from California, grew to become the youngest American to win a ladies’s main-draw match at Flushing Meadows since 2000, knocking out 2023 Australian Open semi-finalist Magda Linette of Poland 6-4 6-3.
“Surprised, but not surprised,” Jovic mentioned concerning the end result. “I just had a plan about what I was going to do before we started, and there weren’t that many needs for crazy adjustments, because it was going well. So just kind of sticking to that.
“I need to be the very best that I may be,” Jovic added. “Simply get higher each day, actually. Simply preserve working. I am on a very good path, however there’s much more to do.”
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