Defending champion Novak Djokovic had no issues to make his way into the second round at the US Open, beating Radu Albot 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and seven minutes at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday. This was the first ATP meeting between the two but the 24-time Grand Slam champion had no issues in going past the Maldovan player.
Djokovic was coming off after winning his maiden Olympic Gold medal at the Games, which was played on clay and thus hadn’t played on the hardcourt for a long time.
Furthermore, this was the 78th win for the Serb while playing at the Arthur Ashe Stadium and he surpassed his former rival Roger Federer’s record of 77 wins at the same venue.
“I wanted to kick start the tournament in the right way and I think I did,” Djokovic said on ESPN. “Some ups and downs which I think is normal, getting the rust off your shoulders coming off a different surface and the Olympic Games.
“I haven’t played on hard courts for six months, so I’m still finding that groove, finding the tempo on the court.”
“It’s always challenging to start, particularly when you haven’t played on this surface for five, six months, and coming off an Olympic gold and playing on clay,” Djokovic said. “I haven’t had any official matches before the US Open. So I’m expecting to be probably challenged a little bit more in the opening rounds. Hopefully, I can play better each day.”
On the other hand, Djokovic will be up against compatriot Laslo Djere in the second round and he is looking forward to going past his countryman.
“It’s a guaranteed third round for one of the Serbian guys,” Djokovic said. “Hopefully it’s going to be me. But Djere is a guy that really likes playing on a big stage. I think he also loves the conditions here. It’s a bit quicker. Ball stays low. He has a very flat backhand particularly and very good serve, great return. He’s physically as fit as anybody. I remember very well our match. It was a very tough match. I’m going to try to analyze that and hopefully do some things even better than I did last year.”
