Three-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic made a triumphant return to New York, ousting Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 35 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Novak played his first US Open match in two years, dominating from start to finish and sealing the deal in no time.
Djokovic secured enough points to pass Carlos Alcaraz in two weeks and become world no. 1 ahead of the Spaniard, regardless of the US Open outcome. The Serb served at 53%, but no one could notice that. He faced one break point in the entire clash, and the Frenchman seized it to soften his defeat a bit.
Djokovic took over half of the return points, turning them into eight breaks from 13 opportunities, more than enough to carry him over the top. Novak played aggressive tennis, delivering 32 winners and 23 unforced errors. Muller denied a break point in the encounter’s opening game before Djokovic seized the second after the rival’s backhand mistake for an early advantage.
Novak Djokovic had everything under control in his first US Open match.
Novak grabbed the second game at love with a forehand crosscourt winner and stole the rival’s serve for the second time in game three with a volley winner at the net.
The Serb clinched the fourth game with a volley winner at the net and delivered another break a few minutes later for 5-0. Djokovic served for the opener in game six and landed an ace down the T line, producing a bagel in 23 minutes and making a perfect start.
Novak cracked a backhand down the line winner at the beginning of the second set and grabbed his fourth break of serve in a row.The Serb rattled off eight games before the Frenchman finally held at 0-2 to get his name on the scoreboard.
Djokovic controlled the pace in the fifth game and landed a forehand down the line winner that sent him 4-1 in front. He lost serve for the first and only time in the sixth game before clinching another break for a 5-2 lead after the rival’s loose backhand.
Novak served for the set in game eight and held at 30 to forge a 6-0, 6-2 advantage in an hour. Muller found the rhythm behind the initial shot in the third set, producing three holds at love and following Djokovic’s pace. Novak stayed calm and earned a break at 3-3 after Alexandre’s forehand error.
The Frenchman served to stay in the match at 3-5, hitting a double fault to experience another break and push the Serb over the top.
