Defeating Learner Tien, Novak Djokovic achieves an impressive feat at the 2025 US Open

Novak Djokovic quickly figured out Learner Tien, the young tennis player of Vietnamese-American descent.

Djokovic demonstrated his strength in the opening match of the 2025 US Open — the last Grand Slam of the year — by defeating the young Vietnamese-American player Learner Tien with scores of 6-1, 7-6 (7-3 in the tie-break), 6-2 early on August 25th, Vietnam time.

With this result, Djokovic extends his undefeated streak in the first round of the US Open to 19 matches and records his 75th consecutive win in opening rounds of Grand Slam tournaments.

Entering his first match since Wimbledon, Djokovic started enthusiastically, taking only 24 minutes to win the first set. However, in the second set, the Serbian player began showing signs of fatigue. He repeatedly bent his knees, breathed heavily, and required medical attention for a leg injury.

Nevertheless, the composure of the 24-time Grand Slam champion was evident at the right moment. After losing his serve at the start of the third set, Djokovic immediately retaliated by winning the next five games consecutively, closing the match while Learner Tien struggled. Tien’s persistent and strategic play, waiting for his opponent’s mistakes, proved ineffective against Nole.

"Honestly, I wish I could be in my twenties like Learner is now, but that’s impossible."Djokovic joked after the match.

Although this victory shows Djokovic is not yet at his peak physical condition, fans still have reasons to believe in his potential to go far at Flushing Meadows. In the first three Grand Slams this year, Nole reached at least the semifinals. Moreover, Flushing Meadows is where he has won four titles before, and the Serbian star is eager to add another Grand Slam to his extensive trophy collection.

The win over Learner Tien advances Novak Djokovic to the second round of this year’s US Open, where he will face Zachary Svajda, a home player from the US who qualified through the preliminary rounds.

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