MEN’S singles defending champion Novak Djokovic eased past Moldovan Radu Albot 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the second round of the US Open in the early hours of today.
Three weeks after winning the singles title at the Paris Games, Djokovic toted his rackets and gear in a pair of gold-coloured bags onto centre court where the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd gave him a hero’s welcome.
In the twilight of a record-smashing career, Djokovic is eyeing several milestones in New York, including a fifth title at Flushing Meadows to match the professional era record held by Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.
He also hopes to become the first back-to-back winner in the men’s singles since Federer’s run of five successive titles from 2004-08.
Women’s singles defending champion Coco Gauff was also victorious, overcoming early nerves to cruise past France’s Varvara Gracheva 6-2, 6-0 in the first round.
Gauff was popular as ever with her home crowd as she sent 10 aces over on Arthur Ashe Stadium, showing her determination to put a string of frustrating performances behind her in New York
Former finalist Aryna Sabalenka overpowered Australian qualifier Priscilla Hon 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the second round.
The Belarusian second seed will face Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti in the second round.
Former men’s singles semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe defeated fellow American Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 on Louis Armstrong Stadium to set up a second-round match against Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko.
One major upset was caused by France’s Clara Burel, who recovered from a first-set bagel to knock out former champion Sloane Stephens 0-6, 7-5, 7-5 and set up a second-round match against Victoria Azarenka.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Azarenka of Belarus fought back to beat Yulia Starodubtseva 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. There was no handshake at the net between 20th seed Azarenka and her Ukrainian opponent.
