Novak Djokovic kicked off his US Open marketing campaign with a robust efficiency. Within the first spherical, he defeated American Learner Tien (ATP #50) in straight units 6-1, 7-6 (3), 6-2 and moved on to the R2.
The seventh seed and four-time US Open champion spent two hours and 25 minutes on court docket on this opening match.
Novak took management from the very starting. With solely 4 unforced errors and two stable breaks of serve, he rapidly received the primary set 6-1 towards the 19-year-old up-and-coming residence hope, who struggled to search out his rhythm and made many errors.
The second set was extra aggressive. Novak missed break possibilities early on and needed to combat off three break factors within the sixth recreation. At 4-5, he even confronted a set level however managed to carry on and stage the rating at 5-5. The tie-break was stuffed with twists – the primary six factors had been all mini-breaks, however Novak then received 4 factors in a row to take the tie-break 7-3 and go up 2-0 in units.
Despite the fact that the Serbian star misplaced his serve for the primary time early within the third set, he rapidly regained management and wrapped up the set and match 6-2.
“It was a wierd form of match. The primary set was 20 minutes after which the second was one hour and 20, so fairly the other units we performed,” Djokovic stated. “It was key for me to carry my nerves within the second set and clinch it in a tie-break. After that I began feeling higher. I can at all times do higher however it’s a good way to start out this yr’s marketing campaign.”
Match statistics: aces (7-1), double faults (4-7), winners (26-18), unforced errors (34-36), whole factors received (108-75).
Subsequent up for Novak is one other American, qualifier Zachary Svajda (ATP #145), who defeated Hungarian Zsombor Piros (6-4, 6-2, 7-5).
Picture: Profimedia
