Novak Djokovic eyes the World number one after replacing his rival Carlos Alcaraz after one win on his return to the US Open. He won 6-0 6-2 6-3 against French competitor Alexandre Muller in Monday’s night session in New York, US.
Serbia’s Djokovic was not in last year’s US Open as he was not allowed to enter the United States because he was unvaccinated against Covid-19.
The 36-year-old player has returned comprehending another title will be a record-equalling 24th major.
Comparing Australian Margaret Court’s all-time tally is Djokovic’s target and he made a comment beginning by breezing past 84th-ranked Muller.
Djokovic said that he began tremendously nicely, We began quite late but still, I was enthusiastic to go out on the court – it has been a couple of years.
In the second and third sets, I decreased the level of my serve and I had to perform for the points a bit more but still, I played outstanding and I liked the level, he added.
Having not begun until 23:00 local time, Djokovic revealed he did not want to hang around and only declined eight points in a 23-minute opening set.
While Muller lifted both hands in celebration when he ultimately got on the scoreboard for 2-1 in the second set the french player could not prevent the three-time US Open from moving further ahead.
Muller presented more resistance in the third set before Djokovic won the final four games to cover up the win in an hour and 34 minutes.
Djokovic is seeking a fourth title at Flushing Meadows and will play Spanish Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the second round. He will return to number one after the tournament.
Djokovic and Alcaraz cannot encounter at the US Open until the final as a result of being the top two seeds.
