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Defending champions Djokovic, Gauff off to blazing starts at U.S. Open
Djokovic, looking to become the first player to capture 25 Grand Slam titles, capped the evening session under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 6-2 6-2 6-4 victory over Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.
The Serbian world number two had not competed since winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris and shook off the rust to cruise past Albot in his bid to become the first man to retain the New York title since Roger Federer in 2008.
He also set a record for most victories by a male player at the main showcourt with his 78th win.
“I wasn’t aware of it to be honest,” Djokovic said.
“It’s the biggest stadium. Definitely the loudest we have in the history of our sport. The night sessions are the best in the world on Arthur Ashe.
“Ever since the roof was introduced it became even louder. Electric atmosphere ... we’re clocking midnight now. I love night sessions, maybe not this late but it was great fun.”
Gauff cruised past France’s Varvara Gracheva 6-2 6-0 on Ashe as the American shrugged off disappointing performances in Toronto and Cincinnati to make a fast start at the year’s final major.
“The last couple of weeks were tough and I was like, ‘I have to do this and do that’ but I don’t have to prove anything to anyone except myself,” Gauff said.
“This whole week or two weeks are just about proving all the expectations that I have on myself.”
It was the end of the road for Thiem, who is retiring at the end of the season due to a wrist issue that derailed his career, as the 2020 champion fell 6-4 6-2 6-2 to American Ben Shelton.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev, who lost the final to Thiem four years ago, began his latest bid to lift a first major title with a 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3 6-2 win over fellow German Maximilian Marterer.