Cincinnati Masters 2023: Novak Djokovic loses in the first American match after 2021

Twenty-three-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic lost his first match in the US since 2021 when he suffered a doubles defeat at the Cincinnati Masters 2023 on Tuesday. Djokovic and Nikola Cacic were defeated by Jamie Murray and Michael Venus 6-2, 6-4.

Also Read: Cincinnati Masters 2023: Carlos Alcaraz's No 1 crown under threat as Novak Djokovic aims to regain top spot

Djokovic, ranked No. 2 in the ATP singles charts, partnered with Nikola Cacic for the doubles match to make sure he had some match practice under his belt before beginning his singles campaign in a star-studded field. They faced off against Jamie Murray and Michael Venus, ultimately losing 6-4, 6-2. Djokovic was not able to play many tournaments in America in the last two years due to not being vaccinated against Covid.

It was Djokovic's first competitive match since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon 2023 final. He will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in singles on Wednesday. Despite this setback, Djokovic remains a favourite to win the Cincinnati Masters 2023 crown. Notably, this is the first time since 2003 a Masters 1000 tournament is hosting all top 20 players.

Carlos Alcaraz battled through a rain interruption

On the other hand, Carlos Alcaraz beat Australian qualifier Jordan Thompson 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in the late match of the Cincinnati Masters 2023. The defending U.S. Open champion became the fourth player in men's singles history to complete 50 wins in two successive seasons before turning 21. Alcaraz will be hoping for a deep run in Cincinnati Masters 2023 as he had lost in the quarter-final to Tommy Paul of the USA in last week's Toronto Masters. 

Also Read: Cincinnati Masters 2023: Venus Williams defeats 16th seed Veroninka Kudermetova in the opener

Meanwhile, in the women's category, former US Open champion Sloane Stephens defeated defending champion Caroline Garcia 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to enter the third round for the first time at the Cincinnati Masters 2023. Stephens, who won in New York in 2017, improved to 2-8 in her last 10 matches against top-10 players. Both of the wins have been against Garcia. While Fifth seed Ons Jabeur defeated Anhelina Kalinina 6-3, 6-7, 7-6.