Djokovic Advances in US Open
Novak Djokovic is chasing history as he aims for his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title. The Serbian star has made it to the third round of the US Open, but not without drama. His match against fellow Serb Laslo Djere took a sudden turn when Djere was forced to retire due to an abdominal injury.
Match Highlights
Djokovic was in control, leading 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 when the match came to an unexpected halt. Even though the match was just over two sets, it lasted more than two hours under the scorching heat and humidity of New York. Djokovic described the battle, saying, “It was a big fight, more than two hours for two sets. I served awful, and without the serve, you have to grind, you have to run.”
The first set was tightly contested, with the two players pushing each other to the limit. Djokovic eventually found his rhythm and clinched it with a break to love. However, he struggled with the humidity, prompting him to receive treatment before the second set.
Djere sensed an opportunity to even the match when he earned an early break, leading 4-2 and holding two break points. But Djokovic managed to hold serve, and with Djere showing signs of discomfort, he broke back to secure the second set.
When the third set began, it became clear that Djere was in distress. After failing to score any points in the first two games, he approached the net and retired, handing Djokovic his 90th career win at Flushing Meadows, a feat unmatched in Grand Slam history.
Upcoming Matches
Looking ahead, Djokovic is set to face 28th seed Alexei Popyrin from Australia in the next round. Reflecting on the atmosphere at the U.S. Open, Djokovic expressed, “It doesn’t get bigger than this in terms of a tennis stage. The atmosphere is incredible, and it’s a great privilege to be able to play here again at my age.”
Other Notable Matches
In other action, sixth seed Andrey Rublev staged an incredible comeback to defeat Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 after being down two sets. Despite the oppressive 33°C heat, Rublev fought hard and celebrated his victory after four grueling hours.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev continued his quest for a first Grand Slam title with a straight-sets win (6-4, 7-6, 6-1) over Alexandre Muller. Zverev expressed doubts about returning to top form after a serious ankle injury but has proven his prowess on the court this year.
Other home favorites like Frances Tiafoe and ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov also advanced, showcasing the depth of talent in this year’s tournament.
For fans eager to keep track of the action, live scores, results, and the order of play can be accessed online.
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Yours truly, Mia