Nole fights through pain

NEW YORK, August 30 

Novak Djokovic opened the defence of his US Open title with a 6-3 5-7 6-2 6-1 win over Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz on Monday, but the laboured performance gave rise to fresh concerns about the world No. 1’s fitness.

After a sizzling start to the season that brought Grand Slam wins No. 11 and 12 at the Australian and French Opens, Djokovic’s form has plummeted, with a third-round loss to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon followed by a first-round exit at the Rio Olympics. The Serb might have been in trouble on another day at Flushing Meadows but Janowicz, ranked 246 places below Djokovic, has advanced from the first round just once in four previous US Open visits and looked unlikely to do it again on Monday.

Djokovic, a US Open finalist five of the last six years, next faces Czech Jiri Vesely.

Djokovic arrived in New York having been hampered by a left wrist injury and distracted by undisclosed “private matters” and on Monday trainers were called out early in the opening set to work on his right forearm. Several times during the two hour, 37 minute match, Djokovic could be seen grimacing when hitting his powerful forehand, while his serve rarely looked threatening, stuck at around 100 mph.

“It was just prevention, it’s all good,” Djokovic said. “After all I’ve been through in the last couple of weeks it’s pleasing to finish the match and win it.” 

Nadal breezes through

Rafael Nadal shrugged off sweltering temperatures to reach the second round as French Open champion Garbine Muguruza survived a worrying health scare. Nadal, the 2010 and 2013 champion, took his perfect first round record in New York to 12-0 with a 6-1 6-4 6-2 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. 

Spanish third seed Muguruza carved out a gritty 2-6 6-0 6-3 win over Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens, ranked at 137. But Muguruza needed courtside treatment from a doctor after dropping the first set. — Reuters, AFP