Novak Djokovic marked his entry into the 2023 U.S. Open with an impressive victory over his French rival Alexandre Muller, achieving a resounding score of 6-0, 6-2, 6-3.
This triumphant performance not only reinstated Djokovic as the world No. 1 but also propelled him closer to clinching his 24th Grand Slam men's singles title, which would establish a new record.
Returning to the US Open after a hiatus since 2021, Djokovic, seeded No. 2, arrived with heightened momentum following his recent win at the Cincinnati Masters.
In his match against the 84th-ranked Muller, Djokovic displayed overwhelming dominance, initiating the contest with an explosive start.
He secured a swift victory by claiming eight consecutive sets in a mere 1 hour and 35 minutes, accomplishing a wire-to-wire triumph in three sets. This victory allowed Djokovic to surpass defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in career points.
Following the conclusion of the U.S. Open on September 11, Djokovic will return to the coveted global No. 1 ranking, marking a record 390 weeks at the pinnacle of tennis.
Despite his 36 years of age, Djokovic has exhibited remarkable resilience and skill throughout the season.
Securing victories at the Australian and French Opens while also reaching the Wimbledon Championships final, he stood on the precipice of a remarkable achievement: participating in all four major tournaments within a single year.
He had previously accomplished this feat in 2015 and 2021.
In contrast, Djokovic's arch-rival Holger Rune, seeded No. 4, experienced a challenging start to the tournament. Struggling with errors, Rune faced a defeat in his debut match against Roberto Baena.
Before the tournament commenced, when Djokovic was asked if he had made arrangements to face off against Alcaraz again in the final on the 10th of the next month, he set aside his usual arrogance.
He conveyed that he is currently not focused on his personal 24th Grand Slam title, preferring to take it step by step, one match at a time.
Historical data reveals that Djokovic rarely falters in the opening round. The last time he stumbled at the first hurdle in a Grand Slam event dates back to the 2006 Australian Open.
Djokovic's determination bore fruit as he reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking. Embracing a focused and incremental approach to his matches, he recognized the value of taking it one step at a time.
Djokovic committed to maintaining his hard work and respect for every match and opponent, vowing to continue his dedicated journey on the tennis court.
