The hope lasted no longer than five minutes, as Paolo Lorenzi broke the serve of defending U.S. Open champion Novak Djokovic in the first game of their first-round match Tuesday night, but from there on out Lorenzi was crushed, losing 6-1, 6-0, 6-1 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“It’s definitely the most entertaining stadium in the sport, and the biggest one,” Djokovic said. “It’s great to play here, especially at night sessions. There’s a lot of interaction and lot of music. It’s tough to keep the focus on tennis but it’s fun to perform.”
And perform Djokovic did.
After the first game that proved to be an aberration of Lorenzi’s chance, the 30-year-old Italian managed just eight more points in the first set, just 10 in the second and 12 in the third, making his first appearance at Flushing Meadows a quick one, a total of one hour and 13 minutes.
“I tried to analyze my game, and my game was great from the start to the end,” Djokovic said. “It’s also important for me to try to be as economical with the time I spend on the court as possible, but obviously not underestimating any opponent. I played really focused, tried to get to the net also. It was great all in all.”
At 25, Djokovic won his fifth major earlier this season at the Australian Open, and is trying to focus more on getting to the net.
Joining Djokovic in the (lopsided) winner’s circle from the main night session was the No. 4-ranked woman, Serena Williams, who demoralized Coco Vandeweghe, 6-1, 6-1.
Vandeweghe, who is the niece of former Knick basketball player and general manager Kiki, seemed to be disturbed by the gusty conditions, with her high-toss serve getting blown around in the wind, leading to mental lapses and a 45-percent rate of first serves in play.
“The conditions were a little crazy, but I felt it’s the U.S. Open, you have to be ready for the best and worst conditions,” Williams said. “So that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Williams gave a quick shout-out from the post-match court to fellow Olympic gold-medal winner Carmelo Anthony, with the Knicks’ superstar forward in attendance after winning gold with his national team earlier this month at the London Games while Williams won the singles event.
“I’m so happy to be playing here, coming as an Olympic champion,” she said to a loud cheer. “It’s such a good feeling, to play in front of this crowd.”
It was Williams’ dream as a child growing up in Compton, Calif., to win this tournament, and she did for the first of three times in 1999 as a 17 year old. After losing in straight sets in the finals her last year to Aussie Samantha Stosur, rumors swirled about Williams’ career being on the decline. She then won her 14th grand slam title at Wimbledon this year, and has her sights set on continuing to rewrite the record books.
“It’s like a disaster drug,” she said about tennis. “I love it so much, but I know some day I’m going to have to give it up.”