Match Report

Djokovic advances after Djere retires at US Open

Defending champion subsequent faces Popyrin of their third main assembly this yr

August 29, 2024

Serbian Novak Djokovic superior to the US Open third spherical Wednesday when his countryman Laslo Djere retired early within the third set. The second seed led 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 earlier than the retirement underneath the roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“It’s not what we wish. It’s not what the gang needs, to see a walkover,” Djokovic mentioned. “However he clearly had an harm that took him out of the Tour for a while and he’s struggling to return again bodily to this stage. He’s such a superb participant, particularly in these circumstances. It ought to’ve been his second set, truthfully. It was 4-2, 15/40.

“Total, it was a giant struggle. Over two hours for 2 units. I served terrible. So taking part in with out the serve, it’s important to grind, it’s important to run. So I suppose I needed to depend on my baseline recreation.”

Djere held two break factors at 4-2 within the second set that will have allowed him to serve for the set had he transformed. The 29-year-old didn’t win one other recreation. He known as a medical timeout earlier than serving at 4-5 and acquired remedy within the belly space.

Djokovic made simply 47 per cent of his first serves, the identical proportion he recorded within the first spherical in opposition to Radu Albot. After sealing the opening set by breaking Djere to like at 5-4, Djokovic known as the physio and took a pill, although he didn’t name a medical timeout. Each gamers had been visibly gasping for air at instances following prolonged rallies within the humid circumstances.

Throughout two hours and 16 minutes, Djokovic dedicated 26 unforced errors and transformed 4 of his 10 break probabilities.

By advancing, Djokovic turned the primary male participant to file 90 wins in any respect 4 majors. He’s eight victories shy of tying Jimmy Connors for many US Open match wins.

This was Djokovic’s second consecutive yr going through Djere at Flushing Meadows. Final yr, Djokovic trailed two-sets-to-love earlier than storming again and ultimately claiming the trophy. Djere was the one participant to win a set in opposition to Djokovic finally yr’s US Open.

Up subsequent for the defending champion is Alexei Popyrin, who the Belgrade native beat on the Australian Open and at Wimbledon, each in 4 units. Djokovic will search for a 3rd victory in opposition to Popyrin in as many majors this yr and enhance upon his 3-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head sequence lead. Montreal champion Popyrin defeated Pedro Martinez 6-2, 6-4, 6-0.

Djokovic, 31-7 on the season, is chasing a twenty fifth main crown and a centesimal tour-level title. Ought to he declare his fifth US Open title, Djokovic would break a tie with Australia’s Margaret Court docket for many Slam singles titles, male or feminine.