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 winning 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 in the third set.
The polarizing Djokovic received a booming ovation from the Queens crowd and stayed the course despite some brilliant moments from Djere.
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 set
Novak Djokovic withstood some strong play from his compatriot Laslo Djere on Wednesday
Djere troubled Djokovic at times but ultimately retired in the third set with an injury
The second set – which saw Djere jump out to a 3-1 lead after breaking Djokovic – ultimately ended the same way after Djokovic clawed his way back.
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 to at one point (unsuccessfully) try an a drop shot from the baseline.
But his tremendous return game (he slid around the hard court like clay at times) held firm and he ultimately did enough to tie the set before essentially putting the final coffin in the match two games later.
As much as Djere tested Djokovic – and he did have some impressive moments with his whip of a forehand – the heat was also a factor for the 37-year-old Djokovic and his opponent.
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 mentioned 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.
But Djokovic’s game slowly heated up as the outside temperatures fell.
More to follow
