Djokovic feels a bit rusty after his first win, while Swiatek survives a moment of shock in New York

Novak Djokovic's bid to win his record 25th Grand Slam title began with a lame 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win over qualifier Radu Albot in the first round of the US Open, as the defending champion returned to the court following his Olympic triumph.
Number one seed Iga Swiatek overcame a series of unforced errors on Tuesday to secure her place in the second round of the US Open with a 6-4, 7-6(6) victory over Russian lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova.
In another high-profile match, two-time champion Naomi Osaka made a triumphant, tearful return to the US Open on Tuesday, beating 10th-seeded Latvian Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2, a year after wondering if she would ever return.
In a surprise result, Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis secured a hard-fought 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over 11th-seeded Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. Three weeks after winning the singles title at the Paris Games, Djokovic lugged his racquets and equipment in two gold-colored bags onto Center Court to a hero's welcome from the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But the Serb clearly lacked the golden touch in this night-time match, as he had problems with his serve and made almost twice as many unforced errors as Winner.
Nevertheless, he had more than enough weapons to keep Moldova's Albot at bay in their first meeting on the tour and claim his record 78th victory under closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“To be honest, I wasn’t aware of it,” Djokovic said of the milestone on Centre Court.
“It is definitely the loudest stadium in the history of our sport. The night sessions here are the best in the world.”
Although he had never played against Albot, Djokovic said he had done a lot of research on the 34-year-old, who had beaten both his younger brothers Marko and Djordje during his playing days.
“They both lost to him, so I hope I can avenge my brothers tonight,” he told ESPN commentator Brad Gilbert with a laugh before taking the court. Djokovic avenged the family name in three rocky sets, but he's hoping for a better match as he looks to overtake Margaret Court on the all-time Grand Slam winners list.
His serve was wild by his usual standards, with 10 double faults, and he winced all evening as 40 unforced errors piled up. His coach, Nenad Zimonjic, was a lively presence, barking instructions in Serbian at the unpredictable champion, who could only convert six of 16 break points.
Although Djokovic was far from his best, Albot was unable to compensate the world number two.
After a brilliant start in the first two sets, he faltered on serve in both sets before finishing better in the third set.
In the autumn of his record-breaking career, Djokovic is targeting several milestones in New York, including a fifth title at Flushing Meadows to equal the professional-era record held by Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.
He also hopes to become the first men's singles winner to win two consecutive titles since Federer won five in a row from 2004 to 2008.

Grand Slam star Swiatek
survives flawed start Swiatek, who counts the 2022 US Open among her five Grand Slam titles, converted three of six break points, but also made 41 unforced errors in one hour and 52 minutes on the way to victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Rakhimova, who was entered into the main draw as a lucky loser after another player was forced out due to injury, almost reached a deciding set in their first encounter, but wasted three set points in the second set tiebreak.
Swiatek built a 4-0 lead with double breaks and looked to be running away with an easy win, but Rakhimova was able to extend a break and get to within a set before Swiatek won the first set with her third serve of the match. The Pole extended an early break with another serve to take a 3-1 lead in the second set, but suddenly showed signs of frustration as her shots were not hitting the target and Rakhimova refused to give in to the challenge.
Swiatek had a chance to serve out the match, but Rakhimova broke to level the match at 5-5, sending the second set into a tiebreak, with the Russian taking a 6-3 lead before a series of unfortunate misses gave her opponent the match.
“I felt good at the beginning, but then I got a little tense and my opponent took advantage of that, so I tried to get back into my game,” Swiatek said. “I was just trying to get used to the courts, I didn't practice much, so this time I just wanted to get a feel for what it's like on Arthur Ashe, and I'm pretty sure I'm getting more rhythm every day.”
The reigning French Open champion will next face Japan’s Ena Shibahara.
Triumphant, tearful return for Japanese star OsakaJapan's Osaka missed last year's US Open after giving birth to her daughter Shai and the former world number one is still trying to get her return to the sport underway. But she was all in to beat 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko, firing 19 winners to seal victory in just 63 minutes.
Osaka entered the court in a New York-inspired style wearing a flowing tulle skirt and a bow-embellished jacket, both of which she removed to play in a green ruffled dress.
The playful outfit disguised her feelings.
“I tried not to cry when I walked out,” Osaka said, weeping during her on-court post-match interview. “Last year I saw Coco (Gauff) play and I wanted to get back on that court so badly,” she said. “I didn't know if I could do it … just to win that match and just be in that atmosphere means so much to me.” Osaka has reached two quarterfinals at tour events in 2024 but has yet to advance past the second round at majors. Ostapenko was a tough first-round draw for Osaka, who is now ranked 88th and received a wildcard into the tournament. “It was stressful,” Osaka said of the beginning. “She hit some really good shots. I just told myself: keep going and keep fighting for every point.” Meanwhile, Jack Draper reached the second round after his Chinese opponent Zhang Zhizhen retired in the third set with a left leg injury. The Briton led 6-3, 6-0, 4-0, while former world number one Caroline Wozniacki defeated Japan's Nao Hibino 6-0, 6-1.