Novak Djokovic: It wasn’t one of my best performances

Novak Djokovic returns to Holger Rune during his US Open first round match on Tuesday. Pics/Getty Images

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic won without playing his best to reach the second round of the US Open on Tuesday in his quest for a calendar-year Grand Slam and record 21st major title.

The Serbian star, 34, dominated much of the way in beating Danish qualifier Holger Rune, 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-1 after two hours and 15 minutes in the night feature at Arthur Ashe Stadium. "It wasn't the best of my performances," Djokovic 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."

Gearing up for Griekspoor

History-chasing Djokovic, who has won eight of the past 12 Grand Slam events, will next face 121st-ranked Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, a rival the top seed admitted he didn't know much about. "I know this court well," Djokovic said. "Hopefully that's going to help."

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 absent due to injuries, as is defending champion Dominic Thiem. 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."

Alexander Zverev

Zverev stretches win streak

Earlier on Tuesday, Tokyo Olympic champion Alexander Zverev stretched his win streak to 12 matches and warned he has his eyes on denying Djokovic the Slam. Fourth seed Zverev, who beat Djokovic in an Olympic semi-final, dispatched American Sam Querrey 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. "I hope in two weeks' time I'll be on an 18-match winning streak," said Zverev, who would claim his first Grand Slam title if he creates such a run. Zverev, who next faces Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas, could face Djokovic in the semi-finals. "To beat Novak here is going to be an extremely difficult task," Zverev said.

Ashleigh Barty

Barty beats Zvonareva

French-born US qualifier Maxime Cressy fired 44 aces and saved four match points to upset Spanish ninth seed Pablo Carreno Busta 5-7, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (9/7). World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, coming off wins at Wimbledon and Cincinnati, began her chase for back-to-back Slam titles by defeating Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-1, 7-6 (9/7). The Australian, 25, next faces Denmark's Clara Tauson as she goes for her sixth title of the year. Italian sixth seed and Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini, a 2019 US Open semi-finalist, defeated France's Jeremy Chardy 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (9/7), 6-3. Canadian sixth seed Bianca Andreescu struggled but outlasted Swiss Viktorija Golubic 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.

Osaka enters Round 3

Meanwhile, defending champion Naomi Osaka advanced to the third round of the US Open by walkover on Wednesday when Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic withdrew for an undisclosed medical reason.

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