Vesely injury gives Djokovic US Open walkover

He’s a very potent player, powerful serve, big forehands. At the time, Djokovic hadn’t lost a completed match since November. He winced and grimaced his way though the match, struggling with a right arm that required treatment from a trainer after only five games.

“I did some medical tests here and it’s been inflammation in the forearm muscles”, he said.

Djokovic practiced on Ashe on Sunday evening, with coach Boris Becker observing, and seemed to be hitting backhands without a hitch.

It was a good day for the seeds, with Gasquet (13th seed) and Martin Klizan (28th) the only losers. “It was an unbelievable experience and it was a little piece of history for me, so I recorded it on my phone”, said the Spanish star after beating Denis Istomin in straight sets. “So hopefully as the tournament progresses, I’ll reach my peak”.

Ivanovic, a former No. 1 player and 2008 French Open victor, has slipped to No. 31 in the rankings.

On the men’s side of things, the past three champions, Rafael Nadal, Marin Cilic and Novak Djokovic all progressed as expected, as did Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic and French showman Gael Monfils.

American eighth seed Madison Keys beat compatriot Alison Riske 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 in a tie which ended at 1.48am, the latest finish to a women’s match in tournament history.

“My serve worked well nearly all the time”.

As temperatures reached into the 90s in NY, the six-foot 10-inch Isner needed 35 aces to defeat the 18-year-old from Maryland, who failed to serve out for the match in the final set.

The world number one and defending champion needed treatment during the encounter on Monday, but came away a 6-3 5-7 6-2 6-1 win before treating the crowd to a bit of Phil Collins. The young Tiafoe served the for the match at 5-4 in the fifth but was unable to close the door on the new Grandstand court. “It was very different from any other tournaments I have played in”, he said. “I have great memories here and I always love coming back to NY”. “Just jump. I saw a wall, but it was quite lucky”, admitted Monfils. That is the case once again at the U.S. Open, tennis’ last major of the season.

If he makes it all the way to the final, Djokovic will have enough for an album, which I will download immediately.

“It was overall a good performance especially in the third and fourth”, Djokovic said.

“I can’t say enough about Frances”. “For me, it’s always tricky the first few rounds”. Always. He’s a great guy. “He has a fantastic future”.

Caroline Wozniacki won her first Grand Slam match of 2016 with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win over qualifier Taylor Townsend.

“Taylor turned pro a year ago, and he’s top 60 now for a reason”, said Sock. That injury also kept him from playing at Cincinnati. “But I was able to scrap out a few points in the end”.

While Jo-Wilfried Tsonga joined them in advancing, his French countryman Richard Gasquet was the biggest casualty.

On tap Tuesday, the red hot Andy Murray opens play against Lukas Rosol.