Novak Djokovic gave learner Tien the toughness of the Grand Slam in the first round of the U.S. Open, competing with the U.S. juniors 6-1, 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 to kick off his latest 25th major championship pursuit.
Serb, 38, played his first singles match since entering the Wimbledon semifinal last month, swapping whites to stylish all-black clothes and prevailing under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Djokovic, seventh, shrugged and violated time to consolidate the early break at the start of the game, followed shortly after a heated debate with the chairman referee, prompting him to end the opening ceremony in two quick times.
Tien, 19, was tasked with a majors almost since the 2006 Australian Open, and his first opening loss was his first opening loss, having a chance to reach level in the second drain but collapsed in the tiebreak.
After treating the nasty right foot blister, Djokovic produced some heavy ground from the baseline, leading 3-1 in the third set, while the New York four-fold New York champion never looked back.
Tumaini Carayol’s complete report should be followed
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