Cincinnati Open: Novak Djokovic eases through on USA singles return

Djokovic saved 2 aboriginal interruption points earlier easing into the match

Novak Djokovic eased to triumph astatine the Cincinnati Open successful his archetypal singles lucifer successful the United States successful 2 years.

But rules for unvaccinated overseas travellers were relaxed successful May, enabling him to instrumentality to competition.

He won the archetypal acceptable 6-4 against Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who aboriginal retired with a backmost issue.

The triumph was the 36-year-old's Serb's archetypal clip playing singles successful Cincinnati since 2019, though helium mislaid successful doubles connected Tuesday erstwhile helium and compatriot Nikola Cacic were beaten by Britain's Jamie Murray and Michael Venus of New Zealand.

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"Time flies. Four years seems similar it was yesterday. It's decidedly bully to beryllium back," said the satellite fig two, who volition adjacent look Gael Monfils.

"I've had immoderate truly bully memories from this tournament.

"Winning it successful 2018 evidently is simply a item for me, due to the fact that it was the lone Masters I hadn't won for years. I deliberation I mislaid 4 oregon 5 finals, mostly to Roger [Federer].

"But I played good successful the past and was truly gladsome to person a accidental to travel backmost to the States. It's been 2 years - I missed it. Some of the biggest tournaments successful our athletics are played connected American soil. I'm conscionable excited to play immoderate tennis."

Elsewhere, Australian qualifier Max Purcell bushed 3rd effect Casper Ruud successful 3 sets for his archetypal triumph implicit a top-10 ranked player.

Purcell, the satellite fig 70, saved six retired of 7 interruption points to triumph 6-4 3-6 6-4 and acceptable up a gathering with three-time Grand Slam victor Stan Wawrinka.

The swiss erstwhile satellite fig 3 continued his instrumentality to signifier with a 6-3 6-4 triumph implicit American 16th effect Frances Tiafoe.

Sixth effect Jannik Sinner besides bowed out, losing 6-4 7-6 (7-1) to Serbian Dusan Lajovic.

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