By David Ramirez
27 Aug 2024, 06:55 AM EDT
Defending champion Novak Djokovic cruised into the second round of the US Open by beating No. 138-ranked Radu Albot of Moldova, who has not advanced past the third round in 30 major appearances, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 on Monday. Djokovic and Albot have never met before.
The No. 2 in the ranking thus began his bid for a 25th Grand Slam title. The victory over Albot, who came from the qualifying round, marked another historic record for the Serb, equalling Roger Federer’s record of 89 US Open triumphs.
Federer had an 89-14 record here, with five straight championships from 2004 to 2008.
“It’s always a challenge to start, especially when you haven’t played on this surface for five or six months, and you’re coming off an Olympic gold medal and you’re playing on clay,” Djokovic said on the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
No one has won more matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium than Novak Djokovic!, the USTA highlighted via the X platform.
For the former world No. 1, it was his return to competition, having not played since winning the Olympic gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games, the accolade that was missing from his already legendary list of achievements.
“I haven’t had any competitive matches before the US Open, so I hope I’ll be challenged a bit more in the early rounds. Hopefully, I’ll be able to play better every day,” added the 37-year-old Serb.
Djokovic now has a first-round record of 18-0 at the US Open and an overall record of 89-13 at the tournament, which he has won four times.
Djokovic’s next opponent is countryman Laslo Djere, who advanced following his 6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2 victory over Jan Lennard Struff.
Last year Djokovic and Djere met in the third round of the US Open, with Djere winning the first two sets before Djokovic prevailed in five.
“Djere is a guy who really likes to play on a big stage. He has a very flat backhand in particular and a very good serve, great return. He is basically as fit as anyone,” Djokovic said.