Djokovic easily wins first round of US Open

American Novak Djokovic defeated Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 in the opening match of the US Open on August 28.

Nole's first match at the US Open in two years saw the 36-year-old dominate. On the day former US President Barack Obama attended, Djokovic took just over an hour and a half to win. He started perfectly, winning all the games in the first set. Nole scored 14 winners, only making five unforced errors in the whole set. Muller tried to fight back in the next two sets, but all the French player could do was win five games in the whole match.

Djokovic took advantage of eight of the 13 break-points in the match. Photo: USO — Djokovic took advantage of eight of the 13 break-points in the match. Photo: *USO*

Djokovic only allowed his opponent to score eight points in the first set. It was not until the ninth game of the match that Muller won his first game. The world No. 84 did not hide his joy and raised his hand to stir up the audience. Before that, Muller shook his head many times in disappointment when witnessing his senior's unstoppable winners.

Down 0-6, 2-6 in the first two sets, Muller started the better in the third set, drawing 3-3 with Nole. But as Djokovic picked up the pace, he had what he needed to close out the final set with a 6-3 victory. The Serbian said he was pleased with his performance, and hoped to maintain his impressive form in the next rounds.

The victory ensured Nole retained his world number one ranking after the tournament, surpassing Carlos Alcaraz. In the second round, he will face Bernabe Zapata Miralles - a player whose forte is clay courts.

Nole's joy was even greater on the first day of the tournament, when several seeds in his bracket were eliminated early. Fourth seed Holger Rune lost to Roberto Carballes Baena in four sets. 15th seeds Felix Auger-Aliassime and 18th seeds Lorenzo Musetti also came up short, losing to Mackenzie McDonald and Titouan Droguet respectively. Home hopefuls Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Christopher Eubanks and Taylor Fritz all won their first rounds.

Vy Anh

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