Djokovic was playing his first competitive match since falling to top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final. The winner of a record 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Djokovic is set to open singles play Wednesday night against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Alcaraz beat Australian qualifier Jordan Thompson 7-5 4-6 6-3 in the late match. The defending US Open champion became the first ATP player to reach 50 wins this season.
Djokovic and Nikola Cacic on Tuesday lost 6-4 6-2 to Jamie Murray and Michael Venus in the Serbian star's return to the country after missing events because of COVID-19 vaccine restrictions.
If the 20-year-old Alcaraz advances to the semi-finals, he will force the Serbian to make the final to take back World No. 1. Djokovic must reach the championship clash to have a chance.
If Djokovic regains his World No. 1 spot this week, he will retain it at least through the US Open, where Alcaraz is defending 2,000 points. No matter what happens in Cincinnati, Djokovic will arrive in Flushing Meadows with an opportunity. to leave with No. 1.
In women's play, former US Open champion Sloane Stephens reached the third round for the first time since 2019 with a 4-6 6-4 6-4 victory over sixth-seeded defending tournament champion Caroline Garcia. Stephens, who won in New York in 2017, improved to 2-8 in her last 10 matches against top-10 players. Both of the wins have been against Garcia. Fifth-seeded Ons Jabeur, in her first match since losing the Wimbledon final, overcame a 5-1 deficit in the third set to top Anhelina Kalinina 6-3 6-7(2) 7-6(2).
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