US Open 2024: Defending champions Djokovic, Gauff off to blazing starts
NEW YORK, August 27
Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff enjoyed comfortable wins in the first round of the US Open while Dominic Thiem bid a final farewell to the Grand Slam where he enjoyed his greatest triumph.
Djokovic, looking to become the first player to capture 25 Grand Slam titles, capped the evening session under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 6-2 6-2 6-4 victory over Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.
The Serbian world No. 2 had not competed since winning the Olympics gold medal in Paris and shook off the rust to cruise past Albot in his bid to become the first man to retain the New York title since Roger Federer in 2008. He also set a record for most victories by a male player at the main showcourt with his 78th win. “I wasn’t aware of it to be honest,” Djokovic said. “It’s the biggest stadium. Definitely the loudest we have in the history of our sport.”
Gauff cruised past France’s Varvara Gracheva 6-2 6-0 on Ashe as the American shrugged off disappointing performances in Toronto and Cincinnati to make a fast start at the year’s final Major.
It was the end of the road for Thiem, who is retiring at the end of the season due to a wrist issue that derailed his career, as the 2020 champion fell 6-4 6-2 6-2 to Ben Shelton.
Diego Schwartzman also waved goodbye to Flushing Meadows after the Argentine’s final appearance at the tournament ended with a 6-7(2) 6-2 6-2 6-1 loss to Frenchman Gael Monfils.
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, shone under the lights as she beat Australian Priscilla Hon 6-3 6-3. Last year’s runner-up arrived in New York fresh off her triumph in Cincinnati and is looking to become the first woman to capture the season’s two hardcourt Majors in the same year since Angelique Kerber in 2016.
Nagal ousted
India’s top player Sumit Nagal crashed out after suffering a straight-set defeat against Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor in the opening round. Nagal struggled with his first serve, winning only 61 per cent of those points to lose 1-6 3-6 6-7(8). — Agencies
