Ten Must-See First Round Matches At The US Open - UBITENNIS

Ten Must-See First Round Matches At The US Open

By Adam Addicott
16 Min Read
The Arthur Ashe Stadium (image via zimbio.com)

This year’s US Open promises to be one full of excitement and intrigue. As top seeds Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams struggle with injury concerns, others are making their final preparations ahead of the final major tournament of the year. Friday’s draw in New York has left tennis fans salivating over some epic first round matches. There is certainly a lot to choose from, but here are the ten key first round matches that can’t be missed this year.

Novak Djokovic – Jerzy Janowicz

World No.1 Novak Djokovic will begin his title defence against the injury-stricken Jerzy Janowicz, who has only been able to play in four tournaments so far this season due to a knee injury. On paper Djokovic is expected to stroll through this match after already clinching six titles this season (including two grand slams). On the other hand, his US Open preparation has been far from perfect.

In his most recent tournament, the Rio Olympic Games, the Serbian was stunned by Juan Martin del Potro in the first round. Furthermore, there is also a troublesome wrist issue that is causing apprehension for both him and his camp.

“The wrist hasn’t been ideal for the last three and a half weeks.” The world No.1 recently said in New York.
“But I’m doing everything in my power with the medical team to make sure that I’m as close to 100 per cent as possible during the course of this tournament, at least for the beginning of it.”

Djokovic has been observed expressing concern about his wrist during multiple training sessions is the past week.

The prospect of Djokovic losing to Janowicz is an unlikely, but not impossible scenario. Janowicz has in the past displayed glimmers of his promising potential with a semifinal appearance at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships before mental and physical struggles slowed his progression on the tour.

The upcoming match will be their first ever meeting on the tour.

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