Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis star and winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, faced a challenging return to the United States’ tennis scene. Participating in his first match in the country since 2021, Djokovic entered the Western & Southern Open in Ohio. However, his comeback was marked by a doubles defeat alongside partner Nikola Cacic.
Early Doubles Loss: Djokovic’s Return to US
In a surprising turn of events, Djokovic and Cacic were defeated 6-4, 6-2 by Jamie Murray and Michael Venus. This doubles loss marked Djokovic’s re-entry into the American tennis circuit, following his absence due to COVID-19 vaccine-related restrictions.
This match was Djokovic’s first competitive appearance after his loss to top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final. The defeat at Wimbledon halted Djokovic’s pursuit of a historic 20th Grand Slam title and a calendar-year Grand Slam. His participation in the Western & Southern Open was eagerly anticipated by fans and analysts alike.
Despite the doubles loss, Djokovic is now geared up for his singles appearance in the tournament. He is scheduled to face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a singles match on Wednesday night. This match will mark Djokovic’s attempt to regain his form and make his presence felt in the singles arena.
Alcaraz’s Performance and U.S. Open Aspirations
On the other side, Carlos Alcaraz, the defending U.S. Open champion, was striving to set a remarkable record. He had the chance to become the first ATP player to achieve 50 wins in the ongoing season. Alcaraz was set to take on Australian qualifier Jordan Thompson in a match that held significant implications for his journey in the tournament.
In the women’s category, former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens displayed her prowess on the court. Stephens secured a victory against sixth-seeded defending tournament champion Caroline Garcia with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. This win marked Stephens’ progression to the third round of the competition, a significant milestone for her since 2019.
Fifth-seeded Ons Jabeur made a remarkable comeback in her match. In her first appearance since the Wimbledon final, Jabeur overcame a challenging situation, rallying from a 5-1 deficit in the third set. Her tenacious performance allowed her to defeat Anhelina Kalinina with a score of 6-3, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (2).
