Novak Djokovic’s bid for a 24th Grand Slam title never looked at risk as he strode to a comfortable straight-sets win over Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the second round of the US Open.
The world No. 2, who is guaranteed to return to the top spot in the rankings regardless of how things play out at Flushing Meadows, triumphed 6-4 6-1 6-1 in two hours.
Djokovic, a three-time New York champion, will face fellow Serbian Laslo Djere in the third round.
“At 36 years of age, after 20 years of coming to New York, I still have the hunger to play my best tennis on this court,” Djokovic said.
“I have the experience and understanding of what needs to be done in the important moments. Preserving the energy and focusing on the present moment.”
Djokovic has already claimed major titles at the Australian Open and Roland-Garros this year and is looking to make it three out of four after falling to Carlos Alcaraz in a memorable Wimbledon final in June.
He got off to a slightly nervy start, saving two break points in his opening service game, but worked his way into form and turned the screw with a superb backhand lob to earn two break points in game five.
Zapata Miralles managed to see off the first but couldn’t repeat the feat as the Serbian took the early initiative at 3-2.
Djokovic refused to ease his grip on the set and served out calmly to complete a 48-minute opener, topped off with a sizzling backhand up the line.
The Spaniard managed to get a nerve-settling hold on the board at the start of set two, but it proved to be his only game of the entire set as the world No. 2 put his foot on the accelerator.
Djokovic won five consecutive games to make short work of the set, and it proved to be a sign of further pain to come for Zapata Miralles.
Set three was a mirror image, with both players holding serve at the outset before Djokovic raced into the distance by claiming five games in a row.
Zapata Miralles did show some of his best stuff in game three as he earned a couple of break points and was involved in some wonderful rallies, but he was ultimately outclassed.
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