Djokovic to anchor night session on Day 1 of US Open Monday

Fans awaiting word on what time Novak Djokovic will play his first-round match Monday at the US Open now have their answer. The defending champion will play Radu Albot under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, second match from 7:00 p.m. following the WTA match between Sloane Stephens and Clara Burel.

Djokovic, aiming for his fifth trophy at the American slam, has not competed since capturing the Paris Olympics gold medal, which completed the 37-year-old’s ‘Career Golden Slam’. Monday will mark Djokovic’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with tour-veteran Albot, World No. 138 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Kickstarting the two-week tournament on Ashe will be a first-round blockbuster between 13th seed Ben Shelton and 2020 titlist Dominic Thiem. Last year’s semi-finalist Shelton is on a fourth-round collision course with Djokovic, who ended the American’s dream run a year ago.

Two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev, seeded fourth, will also be first on at 11 a.m. local time against Finn Emil Ruusuvuori. Sixth seed Andrey Rublev meets Thiago Seyboth Wild. Other Top 10 seeds in action include 2022 finalist Casper Ruud against China's Buyunchaokete and Grigor Dimitrov, who starts versus Frenchman Kyrian Jacquet.

American No. 1 Taylor Fritz meets Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli on Louis Armstrong Stadium, where later 20th seed Frances Tiafoe faces Aleksandar Kovacevic.

Fan favourite Gael Monfils clashes against Diego Schwartzman, who is competing in his farewell US Open.

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