Tennis-All-conquering Djokovic faces Albot test in New York opener

(Reuters) – The first round of the U.S. Open begins on Monday as the world’s top players battle for Grand Slam glory in New York.

Novak Djokovic begins his hunt for a fifth Flushing Meadows crown when he meets Moldovan Radu Albot while Coco Gauff kicks off her title defence against Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva.

TOP MEN’S MATCH: DJOKOVIC v ALBOT

Djokovic has not competed since winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris and the 37-year-old will need to quickly shake off any rust when he meets Albot for the first time in his career under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Having completed the career Golden Slam – winning all four Grand Slam titles and the Olympic gold – Djokovic is aiming to capture a 25th major crown that will see him move past Margaret Court and take sole possession of the all-time record.

No man has defended the trophy in New York since 2008 and Djokovic is determined to change that this year.

“That’s the goal. It’s always to try to go all the way to the finals and fight for the trophy. That kind of mindset or approach is no different for me this year,” Djokovic said.

“People ask me, ‘Now that you’ve basically won everything with the golden medal, what else is there to win?’ I still feel the drive. I still have the competitive spirit.

“I still want to make more history and enjoy myself on the tour. I still hope to inspire many young people to watch tennis and play tennis.”

TOP WOMEN’S MATCH: GAUFF v GRACHEVA

After a disappointing outing in Paris and early exits in Toronto and Cincinnati, Gauff will look to rediscover her best form at the venue of her only major triumph.

“Obviously coming in as defending champion is a little bit of pressure, but also more of a privilege, because as my new motto is: If you defend, that means you won something before,” Gauff said.

“I’m excited to be back and hopefully have a good two weeks.”

SABALENKA SEEKS FAST START

Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka meets Priscilla Hon seeking a blazing start in her bid to become the first woman to claim the season’s two hardcourt majors in the same year since Angelique Kerber in 2016.

U.S. OPEN ORDER OF PLAY ON MONDAY

Here is the order of play on the main showcourts on the first day of the U.S. Open (prefix number denotes seeding):

ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM (1600 GMT/12 PM ET)

13-Ben Shelton (U.S.) v Dominic Thiem (Austria)

Varvara Gracheva (France) v 3-Coco Gauff (U.S.)

Clara Burel (France) v Sloane Stephens (U.S.)

Radu Albot (Moldova) v 2-Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM (1500 GMT/11 AM ET)

7-Zheng Qinwen (China) v Amanda Anisimova (U.S.)

Camilo Ugo Carabelli (Argentina) v 12-Taylor Fritz (U.S.)

14-Madison Keys (U.S.) v Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic)

Aleksandar Kovacevic (U.S.) v 20-Frances Tiafoe (U.S.)

Priscilla Hon (Australia) v 2-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)