File image of Novak Djokovic| Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports by way of Reuters Con

Novak Djokovic fell in his first match within the United States since 2021, dropping in doubles Tuesday within the Western and Southern Open.

Djokovic and Nikola Cacic misplaced 6-4, 6-2 to Jamie Murray and Michael Venus within the Serbian star's return to the nation after lacking occasions due to COVID-19 vaccine restrictions.

Djokovic was taking part in his first aggressive match since falling to top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.

The winner of a report 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Djokovic is about to open singles play Wednesday night time in opposition to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Alcaraz confronted Australian qualifier Jordan Thompson in a late match. The defending U.S. Open champion was in place to grow to be the primary ATP participant to succeed in 50 wins this season.

In ladies's play, former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens reached the third spherical for the primary time since 2019 with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory over sixth-seeded defending event champion Caroline Garcia.

Stephens, who gained in New York in 2017, improved to 2-8 in her final 10 matches in opposition to top-10 gamers. Both of the wins have been in opposition to Garcia.

Fifth-seeded Ons Jabeur, in her first match since dropping the Wimbledon closing, overcame a 5-1 deficit within the third set to high Anhelina Kalinina 6-3, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (2).