Novak Djokovic's Impressive Performance

2 months ago 02nd Sep 12:18

The form that saw Novak Djokovic reach the Cincinnati Masters final a fortnight ago continued as he swept passed Ivan Ljubicic.

The former finalist made light work of his opponent and it seems the addition of Todd Martin to his coaching team is having a great effect.

After the match Djokovic told the BBC: "Todd, being a former top five player and in a couple of Grand Slam finals and very respected, brought freshness to our team and things are functioning quite well," said the world number four.

"He always looks for positives and that is exactly what I need."

But there was an even more impressive performance from Frenchman Jo-Wilfred Tsonga as he thrashed his opponent Chase Buchanan 6-0 6-2 6-1.

Tsonga has never before been further than the third round at Flushing Meadows but he needed just seventy eight minutes to get into the second round where he will face Jarkko Nieminen.

The tenth seed and ever improving Fernando Verdasco was another straight sets winner as he beat Benjamin Becker 7-5 6-4 7-5.

There were also straight set wins for Marin Cilic, a potential fourth round opponent for Murray, Sam Querrey and Fernando Gonzalez.

Big hitting Croatian Ivo Karlovic, the twenty seventh seed, was sent packing by Ivan Navarro 6-4 7-6 (10-8) 7-6 (7-5).

Nineteenth seed Stanislas Wawrinka was also sent home when Nicolas Lapentti battled back from two sets down to finally seal the win 4-6 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.

But the big shock of the day came in the form of qualifier Jesse Witten as he beat twenty ninth seed Igo Andreev.

It's always good to have the home crowd on your side and Witten used it to his example as he gave an outstanding performance to win 6-4 6-0 6-2. .

Rafael Nadal gets his campaign underway today against the very talented Richard Gasquet. It's the first Grand Slam match for Nadal since his shock loss at Roland Garros earlier this summer.

Since then the Spaniard had to give up his Wimbledon crown and number one spot to Federer as he was unable to defend his title due to tendonitis in both knees.

After ten weeks out, which saw Murray take over the number two spot, he returned at the Montreal Masters, where he lost in the quarter final, before reaching the semi of the Cincinnati Masters.

It's also a return for Gasquet who has served a ban for testing positive for cocaine. He was cleared in July.

Roger Federer also returns to the Arthur Ashe court for the second round where he will face Greul.