It’s rare that Novak Djokovic enters any tournament under a cloud, let alone a grand slam, but that is the exact situation at the US Open, as he takes on Jerzy Janowicz in the first round. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 9am (AEST).
Djokovic, after winning four grand slams in a row has hit a few roadblocks in the last few months, being bowled out of Wimbledon and the Rio Olympics.
He was looking good at Wimbledon, before being beaten in an error-riddled performance against big-serving American Sam Querrey, and then lost to Juan Martin Del Potro in the first round of the Olympics.
The Serbian World no. 1 was visibly emotional after the Olympics lost to Del Potro, and you would have to think he will be able to use some of that emotion here in the USA.
The biggest thing moving forward for Djokovic will be keeping errors down and making the right decisions in his defensively minded game – talent alone will get him through the early rounds but he has to knuckle down and do the little things right or he could be beaten in an upset again.
His opponent, Jerzy Janowicz has had a shocking year that, for the most part has been ruined by injury limiting him to very few games and opportunities to build form or keep his position on the world records.
He can play quite an aggressive style, and it would seem if he is to have a chance of beating Djokovic then that will be the way to do it, getting the Djoker off his game early.
Janowicz didn’t play a game between the Australian Open in January and a challenger event last month before he was knocked out in the first round at Rio.
Since then he participated in another challenger event, this time in Germany on clay winning a couple of matches.
This will be the pair’s first meeting and the winner will go on to play either Jiri Vesely or Saketh Myneni in the second round.
Prediction
Djokovic won’t lose, but you can’t be sure how dominant he will be given his recent play. Errors might bite him as he works into the tournament, but still, he should get it done pretty easily.
Djokovic in straight sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this first round match at the US Open from 9am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
That just about does it here. Thanks for joining me today for The Roar's live coverage of the 2016 US Open as Novak Djokovic advanced through to the second round in four sets. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Be sure to keep an eye out for more live scores and blogs throughout the tournament, with a stack of Australians on Day 2. I'll be back Thursday Morning for more action hopefully. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Statistics Aces: Djokovic (12), Janowicz (5) Double faults: Djokovic (5), Janowicz (13) First serves in: Djokovic (71/114 @ 62%), Janowicz (63/117 @ 54%) Points won on first serve: Djokovic (49/71 @ 69%), Janowicz (40/63 @ 63%) Net points won: Djokovic (17/26), Janowicz (18/28) Break points won: Djokovic (7/20), Janowicz (2/12) Receiving points won: Djokovic (55/117 @ 47%), Janowicz (38/114 @ 33%) Winners: Djokovic (34), Janowicz (41) Unforced errors: Djokovic (18), Janowicz (59) Total points won: Djokovic (131), Janowicz (100) Final Score Novak Djokovic 6 5 6 6 Jerzy Janowicz 3 7 2 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, plenty to take out of that match really. Djokovic has a lot of work to do moving forward - he didn't look himself out there for much of the match and whether he was upset by the big serve, or it was a combination of that and an arm injury is hard to say. He has also spent more than 2 and a half hours on court which isn't going to assist him moving forward in the tournament. Janowicz will be remembered for a fighting second set here as he came back to force it to four, but Djokovic came back strongly at the end to win. Djokovic is pretty upbeat in his interview, and certainly doesn't want to talk about his arm injury whatsoever. Novak Djokovic 6 5 6 6 Jerzy Janowicz 3 7 2 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic will move onto face Jiri Vesely in the second round after he recorded a five-set win.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH Novak Djokovic He gets a serve in, but Janowicz puts a forehand winner long and that'll do us on the Arthur Ashe. Djokovic had to fight hard but he will advance to the second round Novak Djokovic 6 5 6 6 Jerzy Janowicz 3 7 2 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
And another double fault. Match Point Djokovic Djokovic 6 5 6 5 - 40 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Double fault for Janowicz. Djokovic 6 5 6 5 - 30 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Good body serve from Janowicz, but he makes the unforced error on a forehand putting it long. Djokovic 6 5 6 5 - 15 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Janowicz before he goes wide on the second. Good power game on the groundstrokes and Djokovic puts a backhand into the net. Djokovic 6 5 6 5 - 0 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Janowicz has lost the will to fight here by the looks of things. He puts a forehand into the net, and just isn't moving well at all. Djokovic 6 5 6 5 - Janowicz 3 7 2 1 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wonderful drop shot volley with side spin from Djokovic and Janowicz can't get there. Incredible shot. Djokovic 6 5 6 4 - 40 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Double fault now. Djokovic 6 5 6 4 - 30 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another fault for Djokovic before he goes body and Janowicz returns long on the backhand. Djokovic 6 5 6 4 - 30 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic with a fault, then a wide second serve that seemed to spin away from Janowicz and he returns into the net. Djokovic 6 5 6 4 - 15 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
And an unforced error finishes that off. Double break for Djokovic and he is two games away. Djokovic 6 5 6 4 - Janowicz 3 7 2 1 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic with a great return baseline, but Janowicz does some cracking work to keep it in play, and then demolishes a backhand down the line. Djokovic 6 5 6 3 - 40 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic gets some more luck off the net and picks up a triple break point with a cracking backhand. Djokovic 6 5 6 3 - 40 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Janowicz with a fantastic drop shot, and he waits on the baseline meaning he can't get to Djokovic's reply. Djokovic 6 5 6 3 - 30 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Janowicz before he looks to work Djokovic around the court and opens it up but puts a forehand into the net. Djokovic 6 5 6 3 - 15 Janowicz 3 7 2 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Errors galore here from Janowicz and Djokovic with a love hold. Three left now for Djokovic. Djokovic 6 5 6 3 - Janowicz 3 7 2 1 -