Novak Djokovic showed that he was still Serbia’s man to beat on Wednesday night as he beat countryman Laslo Djere in a walkover to move into the third round of the US Open.
Djere, who has been ranked as high as No. 27 in the world, took Djokovic to five sets in the third round of last year’s US Open and pushed Djokovic at times here – but he faded as he pulled out of the match through injury with Djokovic leading 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 in the third set.
The polarizing Djokovic received a booming ovation upon being introduced to the Queens crowd and stayed the course despite some brilliant moments from Djere, and some serving troubles of his own.
‘I knew coming into the match that if I don’t serve well, which was the case, I’m going to have to really grind and work for my points a lot,’ said Djokovic, who double-faulted eight times. ‘That’s what I guess caused the two sets to be played over two hours.’
But as much as Djere tested Djokovic, the heat was also a factor for the 24-time Slam winner and his opponent.
Novak Djokovic battled through muggy conditions at Arthur Ashe to move into the third round
Laslo Djere troubled Djokovic at times but ultimately retired in the third set with an injury
There was a heat wave advisory in New York on Wednesday and while temperatures had mellowed by the time the match began around 9pm local time, it got muggy as the roof was closed (which Frances Tiafoe complained about on Monday), with it thundering in the area.
Just five games into the match, as he led 3-2, Djokovic took his shirt off at the changeover and put what looked to be a cooling towel around his neck.
Both players were also attended to by physios during the match, with each having their abdominals massaged.
For much of the two-hour, 16 minute match, there wasn’t much separating the Serbians as Djere was highly effective with his serve and out-winnered Djokovic 30-18 – with his whip of a forehand certainly helping in that department.
It wasn’t until the 10th game, with Djokovic leading 5-4, that he finally got over the hump and broke his opponent to win the first set.
The second set – which saw Djere jump out to a 3-1 lead after breaking Djokovic – ultimately ended the same way after Djokovic clawed himself back.
Novak Djokovic withstood some strong play from his compatriot Djere on Wednesday
The roof was closed at Arthur Ashe due to thunderstorms outside and both players seemed to struggle with the conditions
Djere’s best chance to get back into the match was when he held service with a 4-3 lead in the second set.
The game went to three deuces and Djokovic was unbalanced enough by his foe to at one point (unsuccessfully) try an audacious drop shot from the baseline.
But his tremendous return game (he slid around the hard court like clay at times) kept him alive, and he ultimately did enough to tie the set before essentially putting the final coffin in the match two games later with another break – after holding serve.
He’ll face world No. 28 Alexei Popyrin next.
‘Yeah, the matches are only going to get tougher from here,’ Djokovic said. ‘I know that, but I’m fine. I’ll find my way, as I have done many times in my career.’
