Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reacts after defeating Radu Albot, of Moldova, throughout a primary spherical match of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Picture/Matt Rourke)
NEW YORK — Novak Djokovic started his bid for a document twenty fifth Grand Slam title and tied Roger Federer together with his 89th match win on the US Open by defeating qualifier Radu Albot of Moldova 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 on Monday night time.
The second-seeded Djokovic, once more carrying a grey sleeve over his surgically repaired proper knee, was competing for the primary time since claiming an Olympic gold medal three weeks in the past on the Paris Video games, the final vital achievement that was lacking from his resume.
“It’s all the time difficult to start out, significantly if you haven’t performed on this floor for 5, six months, and coming off an Olympic gold and taking part in on clay. I haven’t had any official matches earlier than the US Open. So I’m anticipating to be most likely challenged a bit bit extra within the opening rounds,” he mentioned. “Hopefully, I can play higher every day.”
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He mentioned his knee, which was operated on in early June, feels superb.
Djokovic, a 37-year-old from Serbia, improved to 18-0 in first-round matches at Flushing Meadows and is now 89-13 general on the hard-court match, which he’s received 4 occasions, together with a yr in the past. He’s by no means misplaced sooner than the third spherical on the US Open; Albot by no means has been previous the third spherical in 30 appearances at majors.
The retired Federer went 89-14 in New York, with 5 consecutive championships from 2004 to 2008. He’s the newest man to win the US Open at the very least twice in a row. Amongst males, solely Jimmy Connors, who went 98-17, received extra matches than Djokovic and Federer on the occasion.
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Djokovic by no means has misplaced a Grand Slam match to somebody ranked as little as No. 138 Albot. And Albot is now 0-12 towards opponents ranked within the high 10.
Subsequent up for Djokovic is a countryman, acquainted opponent and pal, Laslo Djere, who superior with a 6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff. A yr in the past, Djokovic met Djere within the third spherical on the US Open; Djere took the primary two units earlier than Djokovic got here by way of in 5.
“It’s a assured third spherical for one of many Serbian guys. Hopefully it’s going to be me. However Djere is a man that basically likes taking part in on an enormous stage. I believe he additionally loves the circumstances right here. It’s a bit faster. Ball stays low. He has a really flat backhand significantly and superb serve, nice return. He’s bodily as match as anyone,” Djokovic mentioned. “I bear in mind very nicely our match. It was a really robust match. I’m going to attempt to analyze that and hopefully do some issues even higher than I did final yr.”
