Novak Djokovic
commenced his quest for a record-breaking
25th Grand Slam title
with a decisive straight-sets victory over
Radu Albot
at the
US Open
on Monday. The four-time US Open champion defeated the Moldovan qualifier 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 in his opening match, setting a new record with his 78th victory on
Arthur Ashe Stadium
.
Djokovic, playing for the first time since winning
Olympic gold
in Paris two weeks ago, appeared on Arthur Ashe Stadium for his 40th career night match at the tournament.
Despite losing his Australian and
French Open
titles earlier this year, Djokovic showed no signs of slowing down against the 138th-ranked Albot, who has never defeated a top-10 player.
"The night sessions here are the best in the world and since the roof was added, it's got even louder," Djokovic was quoted as saying by AFP after the match. "There's an incredible energy and with the new rule this year that the crowd can move around, there are a lot of things happening."
Djokovic broke Albot's serve to take a 3-2 lead in the first set and continued to dominate, breaking again in the third game of the second set. Although Albot managed to level briefly, Djokovic quickly regained control, winning the next four games to secure a two-set lead.
The Serbian star broke again for a 4-3 lead in the third set and closed out the match shortly before midnight, advancing to the next round in his pursuit of a historic 25th Grand Slam title.
English (US) ·