Novak Djokovic back on his perch with dominant US Open return as he regains No 1 spot from Carlos Alcaraz

Shahida Jacobs 29 Aug 2023 7:12 AM

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a ball

Novak Djokovic accomplished his first mission at the 2023 US Open on Monday as he claimed a routine opening-round win to return to the top of the ATP Rankings.

Following his victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati Open final just over a week ago, the equation was always simple for Djokovic as all he had to do was win his first-round match at Flushing Meadows to become No 1 in the world again.

And he wasted no time as he brushed aside Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 to reclaim the No 1 spot from Alcaraz – who had been top since June 26, although the Spaniard will stay there until after the completion of the US Open.

When Djokovic does return to his perch, he will extend his record for most weeks at No 1 to an incredible 390, which is 80 more than Roger Federer’s previous ATP milestone and 13 more than the tally of 377 from women’s tennis great Steffi Graf.

His second mission, of course, is winning the title and he showed against Muller that he meant business at it was a dominant display from the 23-time Grand Slam winner as he lost just two points on serve in the opening set that lasted just 24 minutes.

The Serbian also raced into a 4-1 lead in the second set with two breaks, but the Frenchman did have some joy as he broke in game six only for Djokovic to regain the two-break advantage in the next game.

Two down, one to go.

Novak Djokovic is on a midnight mission. pic.twitter.com/HtdSrWysz8

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2023

Muller then held firm during the opening games of the third set, but Djokovic eventually broke in games seven and nine to wrap up the win.

“I started tremendously well, we started quite late but nevertheless I was excited to go out on the court – it has been a couple of years,” the three-time US Open champion said.

“In the second and third sets I dropped the level of my serve and I had to work for the points a bit more. Nevertheless I played great and I liked the level.”

He added: “It took longer than I wanted, but it was great joy – the performance explains how I felt, lights out tennis in first two sets. I am very pleased with the way I feel.”

Up next is Bernabe Zapata Miralles while he could face compatriot Laslo Djere in the third round.