Novak Djokovic and Caroline Wozniacki make winning returns to US Open

NEW YORK – Novak Djokovic and Caroline Wozniacki were both thrilled to make winning returns to the US Open on Monday, while women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek was in ominous form as she got her title defence off to a flying start.

Djokovic, prevented from playing in the 2022 edition at Flushing Meadows due to being unvaccinated against Covid-19, began his latest campaign to match Margaret Court’s all-time record haul of 24 Grand Slams with a 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 win over Alexandre Muller.

Arriving in New York on the back of an absorbing win over young rival Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati final, the in-form Serb showed the 84th-ranked Frenchman no mercy in his US Open main-draw debut.

“This court has seen so much history and so many battles,” Djokovic, who will face Spain’s Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the second round, told the crowd.

“Everyone knows in tennis that night sessions at Arthur Ashe definitely are the most exciting, fun, loud, energetic sessions you can have out there in the tennis world.

“I didn’t care if I started after midnight because I was looking forward to this moment for few years, to be out on the biggest stadium in our sport, the loudest stadium in our sport, playing a night session. It was a great joy.

“I think the performance explains how I felt tonight, particularly in the first two sets.

“It was kind of lights-out tennis really, almost flawless, perfect first set.”

While the US Open has just got under way, Djokovic’s win guarantees he will nudge Alcaraz out of top spot in the rankings when they are updated on Sept 11.

The Serb had not been seen on the Flushing Meadows hard courts since his loss to Daniil Medvedev in the 2021 final and fans let the 36-year-old know they had missed him, showering him with applause as he emerged from the tunnel.

And it was clear that the three-time champion had missed them too as he embraced the cheers of a record crowd of over 30,000 that included former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

While Djokovic played in front of a packed house, Swiatek performed to a sparse, sleepy morning audience.

Bidding to become the first woman to retain the US Open crown since Serena Williams won three straight from 2012 to 2014, the Pole kicked off the action on Arthur Ashe Stadium by blasting Swede Rebecca Peterson 6-0, 6-1.

Winner of three of the last six Grand Slams, not even the world’s top-ranked player was able to inject some excitement into a lifeless contest that was mercifully completed in under 60 minutes.

“I feel like I could play proactively from the beginning and just didn’t stop,” said Swiatek, who will face Daria Saville of Australia in round two.

“I’m just happy that this was such a nice first round, because first rounds are usually tricky.

“Also, I’m happy that I kind of had time to implement all of the stuff that I practised.”

The major upset of the day came when Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena battled past an error-riddled Holger Rune 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, handing the fourth seed a shock early exit.

“Not satisfied with the result obviously, but also with my tennis,” said Rune, who called on the trainer in the third set after struggling with a left knee problem.

“There is only one way, and it’s to work.”

The US Open also welcomed back fan favourite and two-time finalist Wozniacki, who retired in 2020 to raise a family and marked her return to Grand Slam tennis with a tidy 6-3, 6-2 win over Russian qualifier Tatiana Prozorova.

“It feels amazing to be back,” said the Dane, who booked a place in the next round against Czech 11th seed Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion.

“Obviously I was very nervous coming out here, I haven’t been here since 2019 and a lot has happened since then.

“It just feels amazing to have the chance out here on this big court, and getting a win under my belt.

“It feels so special.” AFP, REUTERS