Novak Jjokovic improved to 19-0 within the first spherical of the US Open and fought a number of leg troubles to defeat learners Tien 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 on Sunday evening.
Djokovic took his knees a number of occasions within the second set, then handled together with his proper large toe. Nevertheless, after defeating his serve within the first sport of the third set, he gained the subsequent 5 video games to regain management.
It was the primary match of the 24 Grand Slam champions since Wimbledon, and it was troublesome to inform if the 38-year-old was a contender to win the fifth title with the Flushing Meadows. He rolled the primary set in simply 24 minutes, then drained from the second set, taking almost an hour.
Seventh seed Djokovic had a profession that worn out his opponents, nevertheless it appeared he bodily felt it within the second set in opposition to opponents half his age.
“To be very trustworthy with you, I want the age of the learner, Tien, was the age, however that is not attainable,” Djokovic mentioned in an interview after his match.
His face turned crimson and by the point the tiebreaker arrived he was huffing and respiratory, so he obtained a second match violation in it, sacrificing his first serve.
Tien scored factors tied to 3 on Djokovic’s second service earlier than Djokovic scored the subsequent 4 factors.
He was then visited by a coach at his seat. Djokovic’s decrease left leg appeared to trouble him late on the set, however he obtained remedy for his proper leg throughout a medical timeout.
Djokovic felt good within the third set, aiming for his seventy fifth consecutive first-round victory within the Grand Slam match.
