Djokovic kicks off with a win at US Open

Written by: Global Chick on 30th August 2011

Djokovic kicks off with a win at US Open |

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic sailed through to the second round today after a win over Ireland’s Conor Niland. The Irishman retired halfway through the match due to an illness.

The Serb was leading 6-0 5-1 when Niland decided to call it a day. The match had then been going for 44 minutes. Djokovic joked, “For the 45 minutes that I was out there I felt like I played well.”

Today’s encounter with Djokovic was Niland’s first ever match in the main draw at the US Open. The Irishman has only won nine matches in his career. Niland revealed to Djokovic after the match he had food poisoning.

Djokovic was asked in the press conference about his shoulder injury that made him retire in the final against Andy Murray in Cincinnati two weeks ago. “Well, the shoulder in Cincinnati didn’t feel good obviously, and throughout the whole week I was carrying the you the king of pain and discomfort in my shoulder. But after Cincinnati I took some time off and I did everything in order to recover the shoulder. Today I didn’t feel any pain.”

Asked if he felt tired after such a successful season, the world number one said, “I’m not really tired. I’ve switched to the mode of Grand Slam focus. There are always days when you don’t want to play, bad days at the office but you go on court, especially if you’re playing big tournaments, big matches, you have to try to play your best.”

Next in line for Djokovic will be the winner of Spain’s Pere Riba and Argentinian Carlos Berlocq. Riba and Berlocq are currently on court and Berlocq is leading two sets to love.