The new two-day break after Day 1 at the US Open may be just what Novak Djokovic needs.
Djokovic largely cruised to a 6-1, 7-6, 6-2 win over American Learner Tien Sunday night to advance to the second round. But he struggled mid-match as Tien pushed him to a second-set tie break that Djokovic won, 7-3.
Djokovic appeared to be in pain throughout the second set and didn’t seem to be moving at his best. During the break between sets, he got work on his right big toe from a trainer. ESPN cameras zoomed in on his toe to reveal a pretty nasty blister (look here at your own risk.)
Whatever his trainer did appeared to work. Tien broke Djokovic’s first serve of the third set. But from there, the 24-time Grand Slam champion won five straight games before securing the 6-2 win for the match.
Now Djokovic will have two days off instead of the customary one before his second-round match against American Zachary Svajda. That’s because of a new format at the US Open in which play started on Sunday instead of Monday. The earlier start means and extra day off between opening rounds. Djokovic won’t play again until Wednesday.
If Djokovic is still feeling the effects of his blister, the extra day of rest could end up being welcome, indeed.
This story will be updated.