Pre-tournament favorite Novak Djokovic marched into round two of the US Open on Monday as he launched his bid for a 18th Grand Slam with a straight-sets win.
The world number one dispatched unheralded Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 under floodlights at an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Serbian superstar took just 23 minutes to win the first set before laboring to a narrow victory in an hour-long second set.
Earlier, fifth seed Alexander Zverev was made to work hard as he progressed into round two following a three-hour-long tussle with 2017 finalist Kevan Anderson.
The German, seeking his first Grand Slam title, took the first set on a tie-break 7-6 (7/2) before losing the second 7-5 in an eerily empty Arthur Ashe Stadium. Ultimately, the 23-year-old proved too much for the South African veteran, winning the third set 6-3 and the fourth 7-5.
“I am actually quite happy with a first round like that,” said Zverev, who reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at the Australian Open earlier this year.
“Kevin is not someone you usually play in a first round. This is a fourth round, quarter-final, semi-final match normally against him. I am extremely happy to be through,” he added.
Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas eased into the second round of the Flushing Meadows tournament, which is being played without fans due to coronavirus, with a straight-sets win over Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
The Greek player needed just one hour and 38 minutes to dispose of the world number 41, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1.
Britain’s Cameron Norrie enjoyed one of the day’s most impressive wins, charging back from two sets down to sink Argentine ninth seen Diego Schwartzman 3-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 7-5.
The 25-year-old looked dead and buried after dropping serve five times in the opening two sets but recovered to claim a memorable win. The four-hour-long slugfest saw Norrie save two match points in a contest that set a US Open record of 58 break points.
In an all-American clash on Armstrong, Steve Johnson beat 16th-seeded John Isner 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3, 7-6 in another five-setter.