Novak Jjokovic improved to 19-0 in the first round of the US Open and fought several leg troubles to defeat learners Tien 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 on Sunday night.
Djokovic took his knees multiple times in the second set, then treated with his right big toe. However, after defeating his serve in the first game of the third set, he won the next five games to regain control.
It was the first match of the 24 Grand Slam champions since Wimbledon, and it was difficult to tell if the 38-year-old was a contender to win the fifth title with the Flushing Meadows. He rolled the first set in just 24 minutes, then tired from the second set, taking nearly an hour.
Seventh seed Djokovic had a career that worn out his opponents, but it seemed he physically felt it in the second set against opponents half his age.
“To be very honest with you, I wish the age of the learner, Tien, was the age, but that’s not possible,” Djokovic said in an interview after his match.
His face turned red and by the time the tiebreaker arrived he was huffing and breathing, so he received a second match violation in it, sacrificing his first serve.
Tien scored points tied to three on Djokovic’s second service before Djokovic scored the next four points.
He was then visited by a trainer at his seat. Djokovic’s lower left leg seemed to bother him late on the set, but he received treatment for his right leg during a medical timeout.
Djokovic felt good in the third set, aiming for his 75th consecutive first-round victory in the Grand Slam tournament.
