Novak Djokovic began his latest attempt for a record 25th Grand Slam title with a straight-sets win over Learner Tien at the US Open. The 38-year-old Serbian required an extended medical timeout to treat a visible blister on his right foot before closing out the match 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 against the 19-year-old unseeded American on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“It’s wonderful to be back in New York,” Djokovic said in a brief on-court interview. “A rather strange match, honestly. The first set was 20 minutes, the second – an hour and 20. The key for me was to stay calm in the second set. In the end, there are positives to take away.

“I’d like to have Learner Tien’s age – when you reach the end of your 30s, you have to learn how to conserve energy for what matters. I still have the style, I still have the desire, and you give me energy. I hope to continue in the same spirit.”

Djokovic had not competed since his semifinal loss at Wimbledon last month, skipping the ATP Masters tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati to focus entirely on the US Open.

Despite some signs of rust in his game, the Serbian displayed flashes of the class that has made him one of tennis’s all-time greats. He started fast and decisively, hitting a series of winners to take the first set 6-1.

The second set gave Tien hope as Djokovic showed moments of uncertainty, but the American failed to convert a break point at 5-4 that would have leveled the set. Djokovic held serve at 5-5 and used skillful net play and shot variety to win the tiebreak.

The medical timeout before the third set proved beneficial, as Djokovic returned with renewed energy and raced to a 5-1 lead. Tien managed to save a match point and break back for 5-2, but the Serbian immediately responded and closed out the match.

In the second round, Djokovic will face qualifier Zachary Svajda. |BGNES