US Open 2023: Novak Djokovic to replace Carlos Alcaraz as world number one after win

Djokovic won successful the archetypal circular of a large for a men's grounds 67th consecutive match

Novak Djokovic volition regenerate young rival Carlos Alcaraz arsenic the men's satellite fig 1 aft a regular triumph connected his US Open return.

Djokovic, 36, was not allowed to play successful the United States past twelvemonth due to the fact that helium was not vaccinated against Covid-19.

He has returned knowing different rubric volition beryllium a record-equalling 24th major.

Matching Australian Margaret Court's all-time tally is Djokovic's people and helium made a connection commencement by breezing past 84th-ranked Muller.

"I started tremendously well, we started rather precocious but nevertheless I was excited to spell retired connected the tribunal - it has been a mates of years," said Djokovic, who volition walk a record-extending 390th week astatine the apical of the ATP rankings.

"In the 2nd and 3rd sets I dropped the level of my service and I had to enactment for the points a spot more. Nevertheless I played large and I liked the level."

Having not started until 23:00 section time, the three-time US Open champion showed helium did not privation to bent astir and lone dropped 8 points successful a 23-minute opening set.

A smiling Muller raised some arms successful solemnisation erstwhile helium yet got connected the scoreboard for 2-1 successful the 2nd acceptable but the 26-year-old could not halt Djokovic from moving further ahead.

Muller offered much absorption successful the 3rd acceptable earlier Djokovic won the last 4 games to wrapper up triumph successful 1 hr and 34 minutes.

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Djokovic, who won the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year, is aiming for a 4th rubric astatine Flushing Meadows and volition play Spain's Bernabe Zapata Miralles successful the 2nd round.

Top effect Alcaraz, 20, won his archetypal large astatine the US Open successful Djokovic's lack past twelvemonth and starts the defence of his crown against Germany's Dominik Koepfer connected Tuesday.

Alcaraz and Djokovic are the associated favourites for the men's singles rubric having developed a fascinating rivalry implicit the past 12 months.

It was bubbling astatine the commencement of the play but without some contiguous astatine cardinal tournaments determination was small accidental for the brace to spell toe-to-toe connected the court.

Now the match-up has ignited implicit the past fewer months pursuing 3 compelling contests successful the French Open semi-finals, the Wimbledon showpiece and this month's Cincinnati final.

Alcaraz and Djokovic cannot conscionable astatine the US Open until the last arsenic a effect of being the apical 2 seeds.

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