Djokovic starts bid for record 25th major with win

Novak Djokovic began his bid for a grounds 25th Grand Slam singles title pinch a straightforward triumph complete Radu Albot successful nan US Open first round.

One much awesome would springiness Djokovic sole ownership of nan all-time grounds for nan astir awesome singles titles. He is presently tied pinch Margaret Court connected 24.

The 37-year-old won 6-2 6-2 6-4 successful his first lucifer since clinching Olympic gold 23 days ago.

Serbia's Djokovic, who has swept up almost each title location is successful tennis, described nan triumph successful Paris arsenic his "biggest sporting achievement".

However he is still searching for a first Grand Slam title this year, having won astatine slightest 1 awesome each twelvemonth since 2017.

Speaking earlier nan match, defending champion Djokovic joked that he wanted to "avenge" his 2 younger brothers - Djordje and Marko - who some mislaid to Moldova's Albot successful nan past.

"I consciousness for illustration location was truthful overmuch astatine liking coming - I consciousness for illustration location was revenge for my younger brothers," Djokovic, who had ne'er faced Albot before, told ESPN afterwards.

He will look compatriot Laslo Djere successful nan 2nd information connected Wednesday.

There are areas to amended connected for Djokovic contempt nan comfortable scoreline - he deed 10 double faults and 40 unforced errors, on pinch putting conscionable 47% of his first serves into play.

Playing nether a closed tile connected Arthur Ashe Stadium, Djokovic needed 33 minutes to triumph nan opening set, going a double break up earlier serving retired nan opener.

Despite nan affirmative start, nan four-time US Open champion gestured angrily towards his player's container passim nan lucifer and appeared to bothered by nan humid conditions.

He was still wearing nan knee support that he has utilized since having room connected nan area successful June.

After conceding service early successful nan 2nd set, Albot managed to break backmost and level astatine 2-2 earlier Djokovic won nan adjacent 4 games.

The world number 138 kept Djokovic astatine bay for somewhat longer successful nan 3rd set, fending disconnected 5 break points, but nan reigning champion yet collapsed done nan guidance astatine 3-3 earlier wrapping up triumph arsenic nan timepiece struck midnight successful New York.

"I emotion playing nighttime sessions but possibly not this late," Djokovic said successful his on-court interview.

"Nevertheless it was awesome nosy and I want to convey everyone for staying."

The triumph besides allowed Djokovic to group different grounds - nan astir wins (78) by a antheral subordinate connected Flushing Meadows' main showcourt.

"It's nan biggest stadium. Definitely nan loudest we person successful nan history of our athletics ," Djokovic added.

"The nighttime sessions are nan champion successful nan world connected Arthur Ashe."