Novak’s US Open marketing campaign got here to an finish within the first spherical following a marathon battle with Argentina’s Mariano Navone, which featured a number of main momentum swings and was performed in demanding climate situations. After shedding the opening set, the Serbian fought again to take a 2-1 lead, however a again damage in the end halted his comeback and prevented him from acting at his greatest within the closing levels.
After 4 hours and 36 minutes of intense motion, Navone prevailed 3-2, profitable 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
“The way in which I used to be feeling on the market… Sadly, it’s one thing I’ve been coping with in just about each match this 12 months. Nausea, vomiting, severe points… After which my entire physique principally begins breaking down – cramps, ache… My again merely gave out in the long run, as did my shoulder and knee. I couldn’t end the match. I used to be behind within the fourth set. I used to be struggling all through, from the fourth sport of the match. I don’t wish to take something away from his victory. Congratulations to him, he’s an important man and a fighter, however I didn’t take pleasure in myself on the market,” Novak stated.
The exhausting opening set lasted 73 minutes. Novak made a wonderful begin, breaking serve to maneuver 3-0 forward, however steadily misplaced his rhythm and started making extra errors. Navone took benefit, breaking again within the seventh sport earlier than levelling at 4-4 and forcing a tense end. The Argentine performed aggressively from the beginning of the tie-break and maintained a mini-break benefit, which in the end proved decisive. Navone took the opener 7-6(7-5).
Novak was affected person within the second set and waited for his alternative. He got here near breaking on a number of events, however Navone repeatedly discovered a means out on the essential moments. The breakthrough lastly got here within the eleventh sport, when Novak broke serve with out dropping a degree. He then confidently served out the set and, after just below an hour on Arthur Ashe Stadium, levelled the match at one set apiece.
The third set adopted an identical sample. Navone continued to play extremely aggressive tennis, however the Serbian was capable of stand up to the strain and preserve the rating shut. The important thing second got here within the ninth sport, when Novak secured the break and held on to his benefit to take the set 6-4 and transfer forward 2-1. Because the set drew to an in depth, it turned more and more clear that Novak was scuffling with the demanding climate situations, and at one level he vomited within the nook of the court docket.
Novak made a powerful begin to the fourth set, instantly breaking serve to maneuver 2-1 forward, and seemed to be on target to shut out the match. Nonetheless, because the set progressed, his physique language turned more and more regarding and Navone seized management. The Argentine broke Novak thrice, turning the set round and forcing a deciding fifth set.
After the fourth set, Novak acquired medical consideration for again ache, however returning to the court docket didn’t convey the anticipated turnaround. The Serbian was visibly scuffling with the damage and shifting with problem, whereas on a number of events he was unable to cover his tears. Navone took full benefit of the state of affairs and comfortably closed out the deciding set 6-1.
This was the primary time in Novak’s profession that he has misplaced a first-round match on the US Open.
Photograph: Profimedia
