Djokovic into second round but new concerns over fitness

Novak Djokovic opened defence of his U.S. Open title with a laboured 6-3 5-7 6-2 6-1 win over Poland's Jerzy Janowicz on Monday that brought new concerns about the world number one's fitness.

Djokovic laboured to a 6-3, 5- 7, 6-2, 6-1 win over Poland's Jerzy Janowicz.

Novak Djokovic opened defence of his U.S. Open title with a laboured 6-3 5-7 6-2 6-1 win over Poland's Jerzy Janowicz on Monday that brought new concerns about the world number one's fitness.

After a sizzling start to the season that included grand slam wins number 11 and 12 at the Australian and French Opens, Djokovic has seen a shocking drop in form with a third-round loss at Wimbledon followed by a first-round exit at the Rio Olympics.

The Serb might have made another early departure if he was not facing a player ranked 246 places below him who had only advanced out of the first round once in four previous visits to the U.S. Open.

> Match Centre: Men's Singles

Arriving at Flushing Meadows, Djokovic had struggled with a left wrist injury and undisclosed "private matters" and on Monday added a new worry as trainers were called out early in the opening set to work on his right forearm.

Several times during the two hour, 37 minute match, Djokovic could be seen grimacing hitting his powerful forehand while his serve hovered around an unthreatening 100 mph.

>Read: Djokovic plays down arm injury

Djokovic next faces Czech Jiri Vesely, a five-set winner over Indian qualifier Saketh Myneni.

Nadal progresses

Playing with his left wrist heavily bandaged, Rafael Nadal won his first Grand Slam match in more than three months, easily beating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 at the U. S. Open.

Nadal’s first-round victory in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday was straightforward. He produced 14 of his 21 winners via his forehand, which showed little sign of being troubled by a wrist he says is still not completely healed.

Nadal hadn’t played at a major since winning his second-round match at the French Open on May 26. He then withdrew from Roland Garros before the third round and sat out Wimbledon because of the problematic wrist.

GASQUET, KLIZAN EXIT

It was a good day for the seeds, with Gasquet (13th seed) and Martin Klizan (28th) the only losers.

Gasquet was thrashed by Brit Kyle Edmund, suffering a 6-2 6-2 6-3 defeat.

Also comprehensively beaten was Klizan, who went down to Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-2 6-1 6-1.