Top seeds grind on day one of US Open

Until recently it would have been hard to imagine a fitter and stronger player in tennis than Novak Djokovic, but the world No1’s physical condition was again called into question here last night on the first day of the US Open.

Djokovic said he injured the wrist before the start of the Rio Olympics, where he was stunned in the first round by a resurgent del Potro, who went on to lose the gold medal match to Murray. The good news for Nadal, he said afterward, is that the pain is gone from his wrist, which whips those violent, topspin-heavy forehands that are the key to his success – 14 of his 21winners came off that wing.

The Flushing Meadows complex has been radically and expensively remodelled for this year.

Djokovic will face 34-year-old Russian Mikhail Youzhny, twice a semi-finalist, on Friday for a place in the last 16.

However, it was not so easy for Roland Garros victor Garbine Muguruza who needed a doctor and three sets to get past Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens.

The match, which finished 4-6 7-6 6-2, is officially the latest finish to a women’s singles match at the US Open having concluded at 01:49 local time. He was clearly a better player on the court but for fitness issues he lost the opportunity to play with Novak Djokovic. The third seed, who lost in round two past year, next faces 48th-ranked Latvian Anastasija Sevastova.

Also exiting was Olympic champion Monica Puig with the Puerto Rican losing 6-4, 6-2 to China’s Zheng Saisai.

Two-time Wimbledon victor Petra Kvitova, the 14th seeded Czech who recorded her best performance in NY 12 months ago when she made the last eight, beat Turkey’s Cagla Buyukakcay 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.

World No.2 Angelique Kerber benefitted from her opponent Polona Hercog retiring in the second set of their match.

However, the old Grandstand court, due to be demolished after the tournament, was pressed into action after the new Court 10 was deemed unplayable.

Woes like these might have strained credulity at the summer’s outset after he completed the career grand slam at Roland Garros to become the first man to capture four straight majors since Rod Laver in 1969.

‘I am very disappointed right now.

Like Muguruza’s win, Nadal’s afternoon match in Ashe was played with the new $150 million retractable roof open under a blue sky, while offering some extra shade on a day when the temperature reached 90 degrees. Nadal obliged, but couldn’t get the ball far enough, then said with a smile: “Impossible for me”. During the Open, all the companies always go with bright colors and super fun outfits.

Gael Monfils narrowly avoided injury after crashing into an on-court clock during his first round match against Gilles Muller.

“When you are in the moment you don’t feel really anything”. Fifth seed and Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic was knocked out of the US Open yesterday by American qualifier Ryan Harrison as Novak Djokovic was handed a free pass into the last 32.

Isner had a chance to close out the victory in the third-set tiebreaker but wasted four match points. The delay helped Bellucci save the point but his Russian opponent prevailed at the next time of asking.

Serena Williams, who has been battling a shoulder injury, will play Russian Ekaterina Makarova Tuesday as she begins her bid for an Open-Era record 23rd grand slam title.