Novak Djokovic returns the ball in his US Open men’s first round match against Radu Albot. Novak Djokovic returns the ball in his US Open men’s first round match against Radu Albot. Picture: Kena Betancur / AFP
Defending champion Novak Djokovic eased into the second round of the US Open with a straight-sets victory over qualifier Radu Albot on Monday.
Djokovic, seeking his 25th Grand Slam title and his first since his victory at Flushing Meadows last year, wasn't his sharpest self.
But he was more than a match for 138th-ranked Albot, breaking the Moldovan six times on the way to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory.
He notched a men's record 78th match win on Arthur Ashe Stadium, where he said the "electric" energy of the night session was unlike any other.
"The night sessions here are best in the world," said Djokovic, who capped the action on a day that drew a record 74,641 spectators according to the US Tennis Association.
No man has won more matches in Arthur Ashe Stadium than Novak Djokovic! pic.twitter.com/kw3mNORpjH
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024
That included a day-session crowd of 42,886 and a record-setting night-session crowd of 31,775.
"There's an incredible energy, and with the new rule this year that the crowd can move around, there are a lot of things happening," the four-time US Open champion said.
Seeded second behind Jannik Sinner, Djokovic is vying to become the first man to repeat in New York since Roger Federer won five straight US Opens from 2004-2008.
He's coming off an emotional triumph at the Paris Olympics, but Djokovic has yet to capture a Grand Slam title this year after falling short at the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon.
He had 10 double faults among 40 unforced errors, but was nevertheless in full control throughout the two hour, seven minute contest that ended shortly before midnight.
AFP
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