Djokovic Advances Despite Arm Injury

BY ESPN

Novak Djokovic double-faulted, then shook his right arm and grimaced.

Seconds later, a weak serve produced a wince from the US Open's defending champion, then was followed by a missed forehand that gave away a set -- the first set dropped by Djokovic in the first round of any Grand Slam tournament since 2010.

While he managed to emerge with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 victory Monday night over Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, there were plenty of signs of trouble, starting with a visit from a trainer who massaged Djokovic's bothersome arm after only five games.

Asked about his health during an on-court interview, Djokovic deflected the question, saying, "I don't think it's necessary to talk about this now. I'm through. I'm taking it day by day."

When the subject arose at his news conference, Djokovic again avoided addressing the topic, saying the trainer's visit "was just prevention; it's all good."

In a matchup of American tennis present and future, 31-year-old John Isner rallied from being down two sets to edge 18-year-old Frances Tiafoe in the first round of the US Open on Monday.

The 125th-ranked Tiafoe had a chance to serve out the match in the fifth set, but Isner broke back and then pulled away in the final tiebreaker to win 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (3) in 3 hours, 27 minutes.

It was just the second career comeback from two sets down for Isner. Tiafoe had never before played a five-set match.

The 20th-seeded Isner has finished each of the past four years as the top-ranked U.S. man and has now won 11 straight Grand Slam first-round matches. He's 5-0 against fellow Americans at majors.

Tiafoe, who got in with a wild card, has just two career tour-level wins. He had played in two previous Grand Slam tournaments, losing in the first round both times.