The US Open roared to life with a remarkable start as Novak Djokovic, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, marked his triumphant return after a year-long absence.
Djokovic’s sheer dominance was on full display as he swept aside France’s Alexandre Muller with an emphatic 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 victory in the opening round.
His year away from the court due to Covid-19 vaccination restrictions only heightened the anticipation for his comeback.
Last seen in the 2021 US Open final, Djokovic aims to rewrite history this time around after falling short against Daniil Medvedev.
His next challenge comes from Spain’s Bernabe Zapata Miralles, as Djokovic strives to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz.
Speaking of Alcaraz, the defending champion is poised for a high-stakes clash against Germany’s Dominik Koepfer. The men’s competition witnessed surprising upsets, with World No. 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas showcasing his prowess by defeating Milos Raonic in straight sets.
Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Holger Rune faced an unexpected defeat against Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in a thrilling four-set encounter.
The women’s category saw a dominant display from the Chinese players, securing a clean sweep of victories. Wang Xiyu’s impressive comeback against Viktoria Hruncakova, along with Zhu Lin’s and Wang Xinyu’s straight-set triumphs, highlighted their determination and skill on the court.
Coco Gauff, known for her tenacity, staged a remarkable turnaround against Laura Siegemund, overcoming a set deficit to secure her spot in the second round. With her eyes set on the championship, Gauff is undeniably a strong contender to watch.
Reigning world No. 1 Iga Swiatek showcased her authority with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory over Rebecca Peterson, solidifying her status as a formidable contender in the tournament.
Another standout performance came from Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who cruised past Marta Kostyuk with a convincing 6-2, 6-1 win, setting the stage for an exciting and promising tournament ahead.
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