FLUSHING, NY, USA: Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves against Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune of Denmark on day two of the 2021 US Open tennis tournament here Tuesday — AFP NEW YORK, Sept 01 (Reuters): Novak Djokovic took a first unsteady step toward completing the calendar-year Grand Slam on Tuesday as the Serb laboured into the second round of the US Open with a 6-1 6-7(5) 6-2 6-1 win over dashing Danish teenager Holger Rune.
On paper, the contest was a total mismatch - an 18-year-old qualifier making his Grand Slam debut against a player chasing a 21st major title.
While the outcome was exactly what was expected, the effort needed by Djokovic to see off the fearless Dane, who battled to the end despite suffering cramp, was not.
"I started great. Played a really, really good first set," said Djokovic. "After that, I don't know, I was 4-3 serving in the second set, everything was working well, but then I just lost the first serve.
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