Novak Djokovic – Photo Credit: Flickr 

Novak Djokovic won without playing his best to reach the second round of the US Open in his quest for a calendar-year Grand Slam and record 21st major title.

At Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 34-year-old professional tennis player dominated much of the way in beating 18-year-old Holger Rune of Denmark 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-1 after two hours and 15 minutes in the night feature. 

“It wasn’t the best of my performances,” the Serbian said. “At the same time, he played well in the second set when it mattered and I didn’t serve well in the second set.”

Djokovic would complete the first men’s singles calendar-year Slam since Rod Laver in 1969 by winning the crown on the New York hardcourts. He would also break the deadlock for all-time men’s Slam titles at 20 which he shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Both of them, including defending champion Dominic Thiem, were absent due to injuries. 

Rune, ranked 145th, began cramping in the third set and struggled to finish.

“From the third or fourth game in the third set, he couldn’t move much,” Djokovic said. “You could see he struggled a lot. I feel for him.” Djokovic won the first set in 26 minutes without facing a break point, fell behind 3-0 to start the second before battling into the tie-breaker. Meanwhile, Rune grabbed leads of 4-0 and 6-3. After two Djokovic service winners, he sent a backhand service return long to drop the set.

Djokovic broke to lead 3-1 in the third set and Rune began getting treatments between games, grimacing at times and struggling to run for shots to the end.