Defending champions Djokovic, Gauff off to blazing starts at U.S. Open

Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff enjoyed comfortable wins in the first round of the U.S. Open on Monday while Dominic Thiem bid a final farewell to the Grand Slam where he enjoyed his greatest triumph.

Djokovic, looking to become the first player to capture 25 Grand Slam titles, capped the evening session under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 6-2 6-2 6-4 victory over Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.

The Serbian world number two had not competed since...