Djokovic was on a mission when he met Albot in the US Open first round.
Novak Djokovic sent out a funny warning just before the start of his US Open match against Radu Albot as the Serbian tennis superstar revealed he was on a mission to “avenge” his brothers.
Although Djokovic is 37 and former world No. 39 Albot is 34 years old, they never met before on the Tour. But when they finally did on Monday evening in New York, No. 2 seed Djokovic clinched a dominant 6-2 6-2 6-4 win.
While Albot may have lost to the defending US Open champion he had wins over a Djokovic in the past – the Moldovan Marko Djokovic 6-4 6-3 at the 2012 Sarajevo Challenger before also coming back from a set down to defeat Djordje Djokovic 3-6 6-3 6-2 the following year at the Bergamo Challenger.
“I’ve done my homework – actually both of my younger brothers faced him and they both lost to him, so hopefully I can avenge my brothers tonight (laughs),” Djokovic said just before entering the court.
2012 Sarajevo Challenger R1
Radu Albot d. Marko Djokovic 6-4 6-32013 Bergamo Challenger R1
Radu Albot d. Djordje Djokovic 3-6 6-3 6-22024 US Open R1
Novak Djokovic d. Radu Albot 6-2 6-2 6-4He really did avenge his brothers a decade later, in the exact same round. Amazing.
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) August 27, 2024
Djokovic routinely handled Albot
Through the first three games, qualifier Albot led 2-1. Then, Djokovic went on to win the next five games and take the first set in a very impressive way.
At the start of the second set, Djokovic blew an early break but remained unfazed as he broke Albot two more times to easily open a two-set lead.
In the third set, it took a bit longer for the Serb to break Albot but he managed to do so in the seventh game and then just held on to his serve for the remainder of the match.
“I wanted to kick start the tournament in the right way and I think I did. Some ups and downs which I think is normal, getting the rust off your shoulders coming off a different surface and the Olympic Games. I haven’t played on hard courts for six months, so I’m still finding that groove, finding the tempo on the court,” Djokovic said after the match.
Djokovic plays next against fellow Serb and world No. 109 Laslo Djere.
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