A first-round Grand Slam match isn’t the best bellwether for the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s mood or form. Even less so against Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot, who had gone beyond the first round in New York on just one occasion in 12.

His record stays at one after this, with Djokovic rolling to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory.

“I struggled with my serve, and with the rhythm on certain shots,” Djokovic said, referring to the transition between clay and hard courts after the Olympics at Roland Garros in Paris, where he won gold.

Djokovic now has the most wins of any male player in Arthur Ashe Stadium, with 78 from 89 attempts. Serena Williams bests him with 103, but Djokovic’s win percentage is higher by a hair, 87.6 per cent to 87.3 per cent.