Defending champion Novak Djokovic was given an early scare at the US Open, ultimately battling past American teenager Learner Tien in a hard-fought first-round match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who last triumphed in Flushing Meadows in 2018, was pushed to his limits by the 18-year-old qualifier. Tien, displaying remarkable composure, snatched the first set, sending a wave of excitement through the New York crowd.
Djokovic, however, demonstrated his legendary resilience, digging deep to weather the storm. He gradually found his rhythm, overpowering the young left-hander to claim the next three sets with a scoreline of 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.
The match was a classic tale of experience versus youthful exuberance. Tien's powerful serve and fearless groundstrokes caused significant problems early on, but Djokovic's tactical intelligence and relentless return game eventually proved too much.
A Stern Test for the Serb
The opening set was a stark reminder that no match is a given in a Grand Slam. Tien broke Djokovic's serve, capitalising on a series of uncharacteristic errors from the world number two. The capacity crowd roared their approval for the home underdog, creating a electric atmosphere.
Yet, as he has done countless times before, Djokovic regrouped. He elevated his intensity, cutting down on mistakes and began to dictate rallies with precision and power.
Praise for the Young Opponent
In his post-match interview, Djokovic was full of praise for his opponent's performance. "He played a fantastic first set. I had never seen him play before, and he handled the big stage incredibly well for his age," the Serb acknowledged.
"All credit to him for fighting. This is a great experience for him, and I'm sure we'll see a lot more of him in the future."
With this victory, Djokovic advances to the second round as he continues his quest for a record-extending 24th major title. The win reinforces his status as one of the favourites for the championship, though this opening battle signals that the path will be far from straightforward.
