Laslo Djere loses an early lead in US Open qualifying

Laslo Djere was eliminated in the first round of US Open qualifying after a 7-5, 6-0 defeat to France's Alexandre Muller. The match lasted 75 minutes and ended the Serbian player's attempt to reach the main draw.

Djere made the better start and led 4-2 in the first set. Muller recovered the break, won the set in the twelfth game and then controlled the second set without losing a game.

Djere won the first game on Muller's serve

The Serbian began with confident serving and found enough depth to pressure Muller's next shot. A break gave Djere a 4-2 lead and placed him two games from a strong opening set. At that stage, the score rewarded his early plan. He did not need a risky change. He needed to protect the service advantage and continue making Muller play from behind the baseline.

The match changed before Djere could complete that task. Muller increased his return pressure and recovered the break, bringing the set level at 4-4.

Muller won the last game of the first set

Both players then protected one service game. At 6-5, Muller earned another chance on Djere's serve and used it to take the set 7-5. Losing at the end of a close set can be more difficult than losing by a wide margin. Djere had held the lead and had little time to reset before the next return game.

The first set still showed that the match had been competitive. Five games won against a higher-ranked opponent gave Djere a route, but he could not carry it into the second part.

Muller took an early lead in the second set

The French player broke serve early and moved 2-0 ahead. Djere then had a chance to break back, which could have stopped the run and restored some pressure.

He did not convert that opportunity. Muller protected his serve and continued to attack Djere's next service games.

The Serbian player left US Open qualifying after three sets.

The remaining games followed the same direction. Muller completed six consecutive games and ended the second set 6-0, turning a close opening hour into a clear final score.

The defeat ended Djere's US Open qualifying campaign

US Open qualifying requires several victories before a player reaches the main tournament. A first-round defeat therefore ends the route immediately. Djere did not lose after several long matches in New York. The early exit leaves him with more recovery time, but it also removes the ranking points and prize opportunity that a main-draw place could provide.

The next schedule decision should reflect both fitness and confidence. Entering another event quickly can provide match rhythm, while a short training block can address the drop after the first set.

Djere must improve the consistency of his serve

Djere's lead came from earning and protecting an early break. The first major problem appeared when Muller began reading the Serbian's serve more effectively. The twelfth game and the beginning of the second set then produced two breaks close together. That sequence placed Djere behind before he had rebuilt his rhythm.

Reviewing first-serve location, the next shot and choices under break-point pressure will provide more value than treating the whole performance as one failure.

Djere can learn from his strong start

The 6-0 second set is the strongest image in the score, but the opening six games also belong to the match.

Djere showed that he could create an advantage against Muller. The lesson is to protect that level after the opponent changes pace. A player must recognise whether the return position, rally length or target has changed and answer before several games disappear.

New York ended earlier than Djere wanted. His next result will depend on whether he can separate the good opening from the later decline and turn that review into a stable full match.

Small score differences decided the second set

Djere had chances to keep the match under control, but his opponent returned more first serves and extended the longer rallies. The Serbian player then had to take greater risks from the baseline. Those choices produced winners, but they also increased the number of errors at important points.