Updated Tuesday, August 29, 2023 – 07:35
In 2022, Djokovic was unable to compete in the tournament due to his refusal to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Djokovic raises his arms after winning his debut at the US Open.COREY SIPKINAFPUS OPEN Alcaraz ‘vs’ Djokovic, another big date, this time in New York US Open Draw Tournament
With a crushing victory against the French Alexandre Mullerthe serbian Novak Djokovic surpassed the first round of the US Open and made sure to unseat the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz number one in men’s tennis.
Djokovic celebrated his return to NY after a year of absence crushing Muller (number 84 of the ATP) 6-0, 6-2 and 6-3 in a night game of one hour and 34 minutes of play.
The Serbian star, who in his career occupied the top of the ATP for a record 389 weeks, has alternated in this position up to seven times this year with Alcaraz, the biggest rival on his way to his title on the 24th of Grand Slam.
“I think I played very well from start to finish. I liked the level and I hope to keep it in the next round,” Djokovic congratulated himself.
Following him out of the corner of his eye with Alcaraz, who makes his debut on Tuesday night against the German Dominik KoepferDjokovic will return to the track on Wednesday to face the Spaniard in the second round Bernabe Zapatanumber 76 in the world ranking.
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.”
The Serbian duel started at eleven o’clock at night after a long victory for the local Coco Gauff.
Djokovic was greeted with a huge ovation for the court Arthur Ashe de Flushing Meadows (23,000 seats), the largest in the world, 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 appearance on this court, when fans tried to console him in a dramatic loss in the 2021 final against Daniil Medvedevwho prevented him from completing a historic full of victories in the Grand Slam of the year.
In 2022, Djokovic was unable to compete in the tournament due to his refusal to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
On Monday, Djokovic began to make up for lost time with a relentless loss to Muller.
“I knew I could start the game late but I was excited to get back on this court,” he said. “It’s been a couple of years without being here and it’s always a pleasure and an honor to play against you. Thanks to everyone who stayed until almost one in the morning.”
At 36 years old, ‘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 Serbian aspires to take the final revenge against Alcaraz for his defeat in the Wimbledon final, lift his fourth US Open trophy and increase his distance with Rafael Nadal (22 Grand Slam titles) in the historic race for the big trophies.
“Welcome back”
greeted with cries of “Welcome back, Novak” (Welcome back Novak), Djokovic showed no mercy against an opponent making his US Open main draw debut.
In just 23 minutes, the Serb took over the first set to scoreless leaving only eight points in the hands of Muller.
The Frenchman, 26 years old and a single presence in an ATP final, last April in Marrakech, could barely hide his face of impotence in the face of the deluge of winning blows that fell from the opposite side.
Down 2-0 in the second set, Muller managed to win his first game and celebrated with a wry smile with the audience, who encouraged him to fight to extend the show.
Muller managed to break Djokovic’s serve, and get closer to 3-2, but the Serbian did not flinch and no longeror granted no other game until seizing the second sleeve.
In the third Djokovic lowered the intensity and advanced on the scoreboard together with Muller until giving the final blow in the seventh game, with a break that opened the doors of his 17th victory in his debuts in New York.
Djokovic does not stumble in his first crossing of a Grand Slam since the australian open of 2006 and accumulates 32 victories in a row against French players in big tournaments since his last loss against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2010.
2023-08-29 05:35:06
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