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Djokovic, Novak

US Open 2024: Djokovic Eases Into Second Round, Gauff Launches Defence of Women's Title

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, began his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title with a convincing 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory over qualifier Radu Albot, breaking the Moldovan six times in the process. Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American and reigning women's champion, powered into the second round with a 6-2, 6-0 win over France's Varvara Gracheva, firing 10 aces and saving eight break points. The action on the opening day of the US Open drew a record 74,641 spectators, with a day-session crowd of 42,886 and a record-setting night-session crowd of 31,775.

Key Takeaways:

  • Djokovic notched a men's record 78th match win on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Albot.
  • Gauff launched her defence of the women's title with a convincing 6-2, 6-0 victory over Gracheva, firing 10 aces.
  • Djokovic had 10 double faults among 40 unforced errors, but was still in full control throughout the two hour, seven minute contest.
  • Gauff saved eight break points, including two with aces in the final game, to secure her victory.
  • American Ben Shelton opened the action on Ashe with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory over 2020 champion Dominic Thiem, marking an end to Thiem's Grand Slam career.
  • Fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany needed four sets to get past lucky loser Maximilian Marterer 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2.
  • Sixth-seeded Andrey Rublev beat Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, while eighth-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway advanced with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-2 win over China's Bu Yunchaokete.

Statistics:

  • The US Open 2024 attracted a record 74,641 spectators, with a day-session crowd of 42,886 and a record-setting night-session crowd of 31,775.
  • Djokovic had 10 double faults among 40 unforced errors in his 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Albot.
  • Gauff fired 10 aces in her 6-2, 6-0 victory over Gracheva.
  • Ben Shelton's victory over Dominic Thiem marked an end to Thiem's Grand Slam career.
  • Alexander Zverev needed four sets to get past lucky loser Maximilian Marterer 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2.
  • Andrey Rublev beat Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5.
  • Casper Ruud of Norway advanced with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-2 win over China's Bu Yunchaokete.

Sources:

  • US Tennis Association
  • ESPN: Novak Djokovic Eases Into 2nd Round of US Open 2024 with 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 Win over Radu Albot
  • ESPN: Coco Gauff Launches Defence of US Open Title with 6-2, 6-0 Win over Varvara Gracheva
  • US Open: Day 1 Coverage

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