Djokovic returns to World No. 1 with dominant victory over Alexandre Muller in US Open first round

Novak Djokovic regains the world No. 1 ranking after overwhelming Alexandre Muller in the first round of the US Open by 6-0, 6-2, 6-3.

The 36-year-old tennis player embarked on his journey at the US Open with the challenge of advancing past the first round of the tournament, following his absence in the 2022 edition due to pandemic-related restrictions that prevented Djokovic from entering the US due to his vaccination status.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion also entered the tournament knowing that a victory would secure his return to the world No. 1 ranking, regardless of the outcome achieved by Alcaraz in the US Open.

Djokovic's most recent match was in the Cincinnati Open, where he became the champion by defeating Alcaraz in an epic final with a score of 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4).

His opponent in this match was the Frenchman Alexandre Müller, ranked world No. 84. Müller, who alternates between ATP and challenger tournaments, arrived at the US Open with six consecutive losses since his advancement to the first round of Wimbledon, where he defeated his compatriot Arthur Rinderknech.

Djokovic dominated from the outset of the match. In the first set lasting only 24 minutes, 'Nole' was unstoppable, winning 76% of the points played and comfortably securing the set 6-0.

The Serbian player began the second set with a new break, allowing him to regain the lead. Müller managed to hold his serve in the third game, ending an eight-game consecutive winning streak for Djokovic.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion secured another break to lead 4-1, before conceding his serve for the only time in the match. 'Nole' remained composed and won the following two games to seal the set 6-2.

Müller found consistency in his serve in the final set, keeping the match competitive until the score was tied 3-3, when Djokovic secured another break. Only needing to defend his serve, the new world No. 1 achieved victory in just an hour and thirty six minutes, closing out the match with a final score of 6-0, 6-2, 6-3.