2023-08-29 08:14:15
With an overwhelming victory against the Frenchman Alexandre Muller, the Serbian Novak Djokovic has passed the first round of the US Open and has ensured the unseat of the Spanish Carlos Alcaraznumber one in men’s tennis.
Djokovic has celebrated his return to New York after a year of absence crushing Muller (number 84 of the ATP) by 6-0, 6-2 and 6-3 in a night match of one hour and 34 minutes of play.
The Serbian star, who is the player with the most weeks as number at the top of the ATP with 389, has taken turns in this position up to seven times this year with Alcarazthe biggest rival on his way to his 24th Grand Slam title.
«I think I played very well from start to finish. I liked the level and I hope to maintain it in the next round”, Djokovic has acknowledged.
With their sights set on Alcaraz, who makes his debut on Tuesday night against the German Dominik Koepfer, Djokovic will return to court on Wednesday to face the Spanish Bernabé Zapata, number 76 in the world ranking, in the second round.
Zapata “is a specialist on clay, but these players also learn to play on hard courts over time,” Djokovic warned. “There is no easy rival, you cannot underestimate anyone”has added.
Received with a huge ovation
The Serbian duel started at eleven o’clock at night after a long victory for the local Coco Gauff. Djokovic was received with a standing ovation by the Flushing Meadows Arthur Ashe track, the largest in the world with 23,000 seats, where personalities such as former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, met.
the serbian has improved his relationship with the New York crowd since his last presence on this court, when fans tried to console him in a dramatic loss in the 2021 final against Daniil Medvedev, which prevented him from completing a historic record of Grand Slam victories of the year. In 2022, he was unable to compete in the tournament due to his refusal to get vaccinated against covid-19.
On Monday, Djokovic began to make up for lost time with a relentless loss to Muller. “I knew he could start the game late but I was excited to get back on this track,” he assured. «It was a couple of years without being here and it is always a pleasure and an honor to play against you. Thanks to all who have stayed until almost one in the morning,” he assessed.
Definitive revenge against Alcaraz
At 36, ‘Nole’ appeared on center court full of strength and confidence after his memorable victory against Alcaraz in the final of the Cincinnati Masters 1000.
In New York, the Serb aspires to take the final revenge against Alcaraz for his loss in the Wimbledon final, lifting his fourth US Open trophy and increasing his gap with Rafael Nadal in Grand Slam titles, which the Serb now leads with 24 to 22.
Greeted with cries of “Welcome back, Novak (Welcome back, Novak)», Djokovic showed no mercy against an opponent who was making his debut in the main draw of the US Open.
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