NEW YORK – Everyone should know now so they never miss Novak Djokovic. No matter how big the deficit he faces. No matter how poorly he may play.
And so it makes sense for Djokovic to come back in two sets to beat Laslo Djere 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the third round of the tournament. US Open, Avoids what would have been his earliest exit since 2006.
“Of course, winning a match is always better than losing a match. It’s as simple as that,” said Djokovic, who is about to face Borna Gojo, the 25-year-old from Croatia who will make his US Open debut in qualifying. “I think the message to the rest of the court is that I can still play five sets deep at night and starting two sets or less always sends a strong message to future opponents.
“But at the same time, to be honest, I don’t really want to be in this position. I’d rather have a straight win. So hopefully I can get back on that track in the next game.”
The match started under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night and didn’t end until more than three and a half hours later, ending shortly after 1:30 a.m.
It was Djokovic’s 8th career victory after losing the opening 2 sets. Before Friday, Djokovic was 1-6 at the US Open with a loss of the first two sets, with a lone victory over Roger Federer in the 2011 semi-finals.
Once in control, he held tight and never let Djere recover. In the crucial match of the fifth set, Djokovic performed coolly, collecting 12 of the original 14 points so there was no doubt how things would turn out.
Djokovic, who has improved to 38-11 in five sets of his career, won three of his men’s record 23 Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows and was runner-up half a dozen times, including 2021. -old from Serbia did not compete in the US Open last year because he could not come to the US as a foreigner who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19; That rule was lifted this May.
No. 1 seeded Djokovic 2nd in New York behind Carlos Alcaraz, and quite a lot of people were expecting the two of them to meet for the title on September 11th. 10. That seems to have worked. derailed by Djere, a 28-year-old also from Serbia and seeded 32nd.
“Believe me,” said Djokovic, “it was intense until the last turn.”
It’s probably the biggest win of Djere’s career: He’s trying to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the first time and enter Friday with a 0-6 record at the pro tournaments ahead of the finals. competitors ranked in the top 10.
Perhaps the intimidation factor that favors Djokovic in most matches is simply not there. They’ve known each other for years, trained together, spent time as teammates in the Davis Cup and competed in the tournament as doubles.
When the match ended, they hugged at the net and Djokovic clapped as Djere walked off the court.
When temperatures dropped to about 65 degrees, Djere appeared strong. He surpassed Djokovic in the longest baseline exchanges.
“Everything is in his strike zone,” Djokovic said. “It’s hard for me to find a solution.”
In the first two sets, Djere won 28 of 44 points lasting 5 strokes or more. Djokovic’s footwork seemed a bit off. So is his ability to control the ball. He’ll raise his hand after some misses or wince after others.
When Djokovic reluctantly pushed a long forehand return to close the second set, the match had already passed 1 hour and 33 minutes and things were going according to Djere’s will.
As usual when following, Djokovic went to the locker room between sets to change clothes. And as usual, Djokovic has become a different player.
“I made small talk in front of the mirror. I almost laughed at myself because I was so… agitated,” said Djokovic. “I forced myself… to raise my spirits.”
He eventually broke for the first time all night to take a 2-0 lead in the third set, taking 27 points when Djere surrendered with a forehand into the net.
Djokovic clapped and waved to the audience to greet him. That series will be over in the blink of an eye.
“When I got the break in the third round, I thought, ‘Okay. I have a chance. I have a chance. I can pursue it too,'” he said.
Djokovic broke the break to start the fourth round, using his signature defensive skill to extend a point until claiming a forehand victory when Djere lost his footing.
Djokovic turned to his coach, Goran Ivanisevic and the rest of his entourage in the stands, shouting and punching the air twice.
Later in that set, Djokovic shot wide to the right to extend a point that left him wide in the doubles line, and Djere – possibly surprised to see the ball headed against him – missed a shot. handedness.
It’s part of a pattern that will be repeated in the long run. Message sent.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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