US Open 2015: Novak Djokovic Clinical in First Round Win
Novak Djokovic needed only one hour and 11 minutes to capture a 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Brazil's Joao Souza.
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic cruised into the second round of the US Open on Monday while Japanese fourth seed Kei Nishikori crashed out after his runner-up effort last year. (The upsets on Day 1: Nishikori suffers heartbreak | Ivanovic stunned out)
And three-time defending women's champion Serena Williams, the world number one trying to complete a calendar Grand Slam, saw three top rivals fall as she prepared for her opener later at Arthur Ashe Stadium. (Complete US Open 2015 coverage)
Djokovic needed only one hour and 11 minutes to capture a 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Brazil's Joao Souza. (Also read: Defending champion Cilic wins first round match)
"There's something I love about number one for sure. Hopefully I can keep it up," said Djokovic.
"I'm just hoping I can continue to play this way and if I can, I feel I have a really good chance against anybody."
Djokovic's highest-ranked possible semi-final foe had been Nishikori, but last year's US Open runner-up exited the US Open at the first match for the third time in five years as France's 41st-ranked Benoit Paire saved two match points and defeated the Japanese star 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4.