NEW YORK, NY — The chase for history is on. Novak Djokovic, the world's seventh-ranked player, continued his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title with a hard-fought victory in the second round of the US Open. The Serbian star overcame a first-set scare to defeat American Zachary Svajda 3-1, setting his sights on the tournament's second week.

Under the lights of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Djokovic showcased his trademark resilience after dropping the opening set 6-7 (5-7) to the 145th-ranked wildcard. He quickly recalibrated, dominating the rest of the match with powerful, precise play, winning the subsequent sets 6-3, 6-3, and 6-1. The match, which lasted two hours and 31 minutes, saw Djokovic outclass his opponent in nearly every category, including winners (48 to 39), total points won (125 to 94), and aces (10 to 8).

This win marks a significant step for Djokovic, who took a break from the competitive circuit after his semifinal exit at Wimbledon. He chose to skip the hardcourt tune-up events in North America to focus solely on his US Open preparation. "My body has changed a bit over the last few years," he shared after the match, acknowledging that fatigue sets in more quickly than it used to. "I hope to feel better about my game as the tournament progresses."

Djokovic’s pursuit of a 25th major title would surpass the current all-time record held by Margaret Court, who won 24 Grand Slam singles titles in her career. His next opponent will be the winner of the match between Britain’s Cameron Norrie and Argentina’s Francisco Comesaña.

On the women’s side of the draw, several top players also made quick work of their second-round opponents. Jessica Pegula, the fourth seed, delivered a dominant performance against Anna Blinkova, winning 6-1, 6-3. Pegula, a US Open semifinalist last year, will face a tough test in the third round against two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka, a three-time US Open runner-up, advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The veteran-rookie matchup promises to be a tight contest, as their career head-to-head record is tied at three wins apiece.

Meanwhile, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu continued her impressive form, needing just an hour to defeat Janice Chen 6-2, 6-1. Raducanu’s swift victory demonstrates her return to form and establishes her as a significant contender in the women's singles field. The success of these top players sets the stage for a compelling second week of competition as the chase for the US Open title heats up.