the serbian Novak Djokovic (2), who defeated the French on Monday Alexander Muller (84) in the first round of the United States Open, he took ATP number one from the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz and will face his countryman at the next crossing Barnabas Zapata (76).
Djokovic defeated Muller on the fast track on center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 35 minutes.
This match marks the Serb’s return to the US Open after missing last year’s edition due to his refusal to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
In fact, his last match at this ‘grand slam’ so far was the final of the tournament which he lost on the same stage in 2021 against Russian Daniil Medvedev.
Triple champion of the US Open, Djokovic did not defend any points in this edition of the New York tournament against Alcaraz, at the head of the world ranking and has the ‘burden’ of having to answer for his crown and the points that last year in his win at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
In this way, Djokovic, who two weeks ago defeated Alcaraz in the final of the Cincinnati Masters 1,000, only needs to pass the first round of the US Open to mathematically place himself as the new number one in the world.
Despite their meeting starting after 11 p.m., Djokovic told the court after his victory that it was “always a pleasure and an honor” to play at the US Open, noting that he was “excited” to return after two year.
“The night sessions here are always something very special”, said ‘Nole’, who, despite some problems with his serve in the second and third sets, enjoyed playing at a high level “from start to finish “. .
The Balkan tennis player, a good candidate for victory this year with Alcaraz, will face Zapata in the next round, who defeated young American Ethan Quinn (475) 6-4, 6-4 and 6-3 in two hours and 13 minutes.
“There is no easy opponent,” Djokovic said when asked about a Zapata he described as a clay court specialist who has also adapted to fast courts.
Source: La Verdad
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