All eyes on Alcaraz after Djokovic units early US Open marker
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f Carlos Alcaraz was beneath any doubt concerning the job going through him as he begins his US Open title defence right now, Novak Djokovic could have refreshed his reminiscence after he made a blistering return to the event and snatched his world No 1 rating within the course of.
The Serb did his finest impression of Roger Federer – who all the time cherished an evening session at Flushing Meadows – blitzing by means of his first-round match with France’s Alexandre Muller in only one hour, 35 minutes.
A protracted Coco Gauff match after which a ceremony involving Michelle Obama and Billie Jean King, celebrating 50 years of equal prize cash on the US Open, meant the match didn’t begin till 11pm.
But Djokovic, again on the US Open after lacking final yr on account of a ban on journey into the nation for unvaccinated non-citizens, was near his easiest, thumping winners in every single place as he wrapped up a 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 victory.
“I think the first set, I started tremendously well,” he mentioned. “Yes, I knew that I might have a late start but I was excited to go out on the court. It’s been a couple of years. Night sessions in Arthur Ashe are always something special and I think I played great from the beginning to the end.”
The outcome signifies that Djokovic will regain the world No 1 rating from Alcaraz after the US Open, regardless of the Spaniard does within the subsequent two weeks.
Alcaraz begins his title defence right now in opposition to Dominik Koepfer of Germany, chasing his third Grand Slam title, having overwhelmed Djokovic to win his first Wimbledon final month.
It was right here final yr that Alcaraz shot to fame, successful the title at 19 and changing into the youngest world No 1 within the course of.
The Spaniard insists he’s nonetheless the identical individual, just a bit extra well-known, particularly in New York, the place he has been having fun with himself visiting varied eating places together with his group.
“My life changed a lot, a lot,” he mentioned, with a smile. “Probably is different life, talking about the way that I’m more, let’s say, famous. A lot of people are starting to know my name after the US Open last year, for example.”
Coming right into a Grand Slam occasion because the defending champion is a brand new expertise for Alcaraz, however as Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 winner, identified on the eve of the occasion, Alcaraz doesn’t normally battle to deal with something that’s thrown at him.
“I’m sure Carlos is such a strong player that I’m sure it’s not going to bother him too much about thinking to defend his title,” Medvedev mentioned.
One man neither must fear about on this yr’s occasion is Holger Rune, the fourth-seeded Dane who has burst onto the scene previously 12 months.
But Rune noticed his US Open problem finish on the first hurdle as he was overwhelmed in 4 units by Roberto Carballes Baena, having struggled with bodily points each earlier than the event and in the course of the match.
“Disappointing day,” he admitted. “I had a setback after the tournaments in Toronto and Cincy where I had to retire. Not the best preparation. Not satisfied with the result obviously, but also with my tennis. There is only one way, and it’s to work.”