Another Day in Paradise: Injured Novak Djokovic advances and Rafael Nadal eases through at revamped US Open
The defending champion from Serbia beat Jerzy Janowicz of Poland 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 at Flushing Meadows, while the two-time winner from Spain recorded a comfortable 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan
Defending champion Novak Djokovic overcame an arm injury scare and long-time rival Rafael Nadal shone in 33 degree heat as the US Open showcased its $650 million upgrade on Monday.
World number one Djokovic, also the 2011 winner in New York and chasing his third major of the year, defeated Jerzy Janowicz of Poland 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.
Nadal, the 2010 and 2013 champion and drawn to potentially face Djokovic in the semi-finals, eased to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.
Djokovic had admitted that he was “not 100 per cent” after suffering a wrist injury on the eve of the Olympics Games where he lost in the first round.
But it was the upper right arm that bothered the Serb on Monday night as he played his first grand slam match since his shock third round exit at Wimbledon.