NEW YORK: Top-seeded Novak Djokovic breezed past a U.S. Open novice in the first round Monday, beating Diego Schwartzman 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in a match that finished a few minutes before midnight.
Djokovic was never in trouble against a 22-year-old opponent from Argentina playing in his first main draw at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic's final shot hit the net, and popped over to clinch the win.
Djokovic is always popular at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and fans kept yelling out to him from the far reaches as the hour ran late. Djokovic has made it to the U.S. Open final in each of the last four years. The 27-year-old from Serbia won the tournament in 2011.
