2021 US Open First Round – Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune taking place? Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA
When is Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune on and what time does it start? Wednesday 1st September, 2021 – not before 00:00 (UK)
What surface is Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune being played on? Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune
What channel is Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune on in the UK? Amazon have exclusive rights to show the 2021 US Open in the UK so it is worth checking the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs for Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune
Where can I stream Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers may be able to stream Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune live via their platform
THE LOWDOWN
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
World number one Novak Djokovic is chasing a second calendar slam after winning this season’s Australian Open, Roland-Garros and Wimbledon titles. The 34-year-old has won the US Open on three previous occasions, beating Rafael Nadal in 2011, Roger Federer in 2015 and most recently Juan Martin del Potro in 2018. Notably, Djokovic’s 12 Grand Slam titles combined from both here and in Melbourne at the Australian Open is the largest percentage of hard court titles in comparison with Federer’s 11 from 20 and Rafael Nadal’s five. Although, also notable is that both Federer and Nadal have won most of their 20 Grand Slam titles each in the second half of the season, whilst Djokovic’s dominance of the Australian Open, where he has won nine titles, suggests he is more potent at the start of the season.
HOLGER RUNE
Promising Danish teenager Holger Rune came through the qualifiers as the 24th seed to reach the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time. The 18-year-old turned pro last season and has already outgrown the Challenger circuit with three wins this year, although a quarter-final at the Chile Open and round of 16 exits at Bastad and Kitzbuhel on clay more recently are excellent results too. Remarkably, this will be his first ever tour-level match on a hard court.
THE PREDICTION
Draws like this make the future of teenage Holger Rune look very bright indeed as he is rewarded for a strong qualifying campaign with a Grand Slam debut against the world number one Novak Djokovic. Rune has spent all season on his favoured clay wisely as he works on making winning a habit but he convincingly won his qualifiers on the hard courts of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and he would have stood a chance against plenty of opponents in the draw. 34-year-old Djokovic dropped the first set of his Wimbledon campaign to a teenager in Jack Draper last month and he is unlikely to make the same mistake twice here. Take the Serb to win and concede less than nine games in doing so.
