Novak Djokovic will face back-to-back American players at the US Open after progressing into the second round.
Djokovic loved the US Open fans for his first round match against Learner Tien, which was played at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Serbian legend won their meeting 6-1, 7-6(7-3), 6-2, and now meets qualifier Zachary Svajda in round two.
Djokovic hadn’t played since Wimbledon before his opener at the US Open, having lost to Jannik Sinner in their July semifinal.
But the 38-year-old has now returned to winning ways in New York, where the ATP number seven is the seventh seed.
Andy Roddick shares Novak Djokovic concern before his next US Open match
There was, however, a slight worry for Djokovic against Tien, with the Serbian struggling physically before grinding out the win.
He also fell on court during the match and suffered from a blister, which former world number one Andy Roddick discussed afterwards.
Roddick said on his Served podcast: “There were points in that Novak match… the blister looked gross, right?
“And we didn’t even know there was a blister. You know how weird it is to see a blister when you think it’s like… I think there was an energy thing going also.
“I think there was like a physicality thing from, you can’t fake match conditions in real life, tournament the nerves come in, conditions come in.
“I was like, if Novak doesn’t win this second set, that might be it. There was a legit concern. I didn’t know there was a blister, and then he took his shoe off.
“That thing was disgusting. I’ll tell you that, that was a gross blister, it was like half of his little skin of his foot was hanging off.
“But Novak is like able to manage pain conditions. He was shortening the points early. He is pacing himself, he’s serving and volleying and a lot more.
“Two days is a long time to get stuff right, but maybe not when your foot is hanging off the edge of earth. Props to Novak for getting through.
“But that thing was nasty, and I also think there were some physical issues there. Maybe it’s just not from playing for a while, a little shock to the body.”
What did Novak Djokovic think about his US Open match against Learner Tien?
Djokovic was facing a potential banana skin in round one of the US Open, with Tien having really impressed in his brief career so far.
He knocked Daniil Medvedev out of the Australian Open earlier this year, but the 19-year-old fell short of repeating those heroics against Djokovic.
Speaking after his win, the 24-time Grand Slam champion said: “There was quite a bit of tension on the court, playing a young American, night session.
“For me, I haven’t played a match, an official match, for six weeks. I had to deliver my A-game, which I did I think in the first set.
“Particularly in the second, it was surviving on the court. But in the important moments I just put one ball more in the court than he did.
“I think it was also good to experience that, in a sense, kind of break the ice officially in the tournament. So you know, looking forward to the next challenge.”
It remains to be seen just how fit Djokovic will be for his second round match, which is scheduled for Wednesday after he progressed on Monday.
The legendary figure is currently chasing a fifth US Open title in New York, along with a 25th career Grand Slam title.
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