Novak Djokovic defeated Learnen Tien in the first round of the US Open. The veteran and a teenager met at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the four-time champion notched a 6-1, 7-6, 6-2 victory in two hours and 25 minutes.
Thus, Novak started his 80th Major event with a strong victory, improving his perfect score in the first round in New York to 19-0. Learnen played his first match as a top-50 player.
He fought well against the legend on the biggest scene and generated a set point in the tenth game of the second set. The Serb denied it and sealed the deal without spendingmore time on the court.
The 7th seed claimed 33 points more after landing 26 winners and 34 unforced errors. Novak played better behind the first and second serve and rushed to the net, where he performed well.
The veteran grabbed six breaks from nine chances and erased six of eight break points, including that set point that could have made the things interesting. Djokovic dominated the opener and closed it in 24 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
He grabbed a break in the second game after a massive forehand error from a left-hander. The Serb received a time violation warning in the third game on a break point but saved it and moved 3-0 in front.
The veteran attacked on the return at 4-1 and drew the rival's mistake for a break at love and a bigger lead. Novak held at 15 in game seven, wrapping up the first part of the duel in no time.
Learnen saved a break point at the beginning of the second set and another at 2-2 after the rival's forehand error. Tien stepped in on the return in the next one and generated three break points with a forehand winner.
Djokovic saved them and held after Tien's backhand mistake for 3-3. The American saved a break point in the ninth game and created a set point on the return at 5-4.
ADVERTISEMENT
Novak denied it and claimed the tie break 7-3 after eight mini-breaks in ten points! The Serb received a medical timeout for a minor foot issue ahead of the third set and continued without problems.
They exchanged breaks in the early games before Djokovic provided two more for a 5-1 advantage. Learnen saved a match point on the return in game eight and pulled one break back.
However, Novak provided another break at 5-2 to seal the deal and emerge at the top.
