US Open: Novak Djokovic reclaims top ranking with first-round victory, women’s world No 1 Iga Swiatek also advances
- Djokovic easily defeats Alexandre Muller of France 6-0, 6-2, 6-3, nudging Carlos Alcaraz out of world No 1 spot
- ‘Overall I’m very, very pleased with the way I feel, with the way I’m playing. Hopefully I can maintain that level,’ Djokovic says
Novak Djokovic ensured he will return to the top of tennis’s world rankings with an emphatic first-round victory at the US Open on Monday as women’s world No 1 Iga Swiatek and American rival Coco Gauff advanced.
Djokovic, chasing a record-extending 24th grand slam singles title in New York, shrugged off a late-night start on the Arthur Ashe Stadium to demolish France’s Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 in just one hour 35 minutes.
The win means Djokovic is guaranteed to replace defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz as world No 1 when the tennis rankings are next updated after the tournament.
Djokovic is playing in New York for the first time since suffering an agonising defeat in the 2021 final in the same city
He was barred from entry to the United States in 2022 for his refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19, meaning he was unable to play in the US Open.
On Monday the 36-year-old played like a man making up for lost time, reeling off 32 winners and breaking Muller eight times in a lopsided encounter that finished at 12.40am in New York.
