Novak Djokovic
The reigning US Open champion, achieved a significant milestone by securing his 90th win at the tournament on Wednesday. He triumphed over his Serbian compatriot, Laslo Djere, who was forced to retire early in the third set due to an injury. At the time of Djere’s retirement, Djokovic was leading comfortably with scores of 6-4, 6-4, 2-0. This victory not only propelled Djokovic into the third round but also made him the first male player to record 90 match wins at all four Grand Slam tournaments. Djokovic is now just eight victories away from equalling Jimmy Connors’ record for the most US Open match wins, a feat that underscores his enduring dominance at this prestigious event.
The opening set of the match was fiercely contested, lasting an hour, with Djokovic narrowly securing it 6-4. This set was marked by Djokovic’s clinical performance as he won every point on Djere’s serve during the critical 10th game. The second set proved to be equally challenging for Djokovic. He struggled with his serve and experienced a slip on his braced right knee, which had been previously injured. Despite these difficulties, Djokovic managed to hold his serve and stage a comeback from Djere’s 4-2 lead, eventually winning the set 6-4. Djere, who had required a medical timeout to address an injury before losing the second set, appeared to be significantly affected by the match’s physical demands.
Djokovic, who is pursuing a record 25th Grand Slam title, expressed empathy for Djere’s situation. He commented, “It’s unfortunate to see a match end this way. Laslo had an injury that sidelined him for a while, and he’s been working hard to get back into form. It’s not what we want to see when a match ends due to retirement.” Djokovic’s next challenge will be against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, whom he has defeated in all three of their previous encounters, including at the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier this year. Popyrin, who recently won the prestigious Montreal Masters, is known for his powerful serve and impressive form.
In other US Open news, Frances Tiafoe, the No. 20 seed, advanced to the third round after his opponent, Alexander Shevchenko, retired early in the third set. Tiafoe, who had a brief but successful outing, will next face Ben Shelton. Shelton, a dynamic player known for his strong serve and energetic play, defeated Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets. Tiafoe, who was knocked out by Shelton in the quarterfinals last year, anticipates a challenging rematch against the rising star.
On the women’s side, No. 8 seed Barbora Krejcikova was eliminated by Elena-Gabriela Ruse, ending her quest for a second consecutive Grand Slam title. Krejcikova, who had not competed on hard courts since February, struggled to regain her form after her Wimbledon victory. The defeat means that no woman has managed to win both Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year since Serena Williams accomplished the feat in 2012.
Naomi Osaka also made headlines with her impressive return to form. She defeated No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. Osaka, who has been using her vibrant tennis outfits as a confidence boost, donned a striking lime green ensemble for the match. Her dominant performance marked her first victory against a top-10 opponent in over four years, signaling a strong return to elite competition.
Additionally, Jiri Lehecka staged the most remarkable comeback of his career. He rallied from two sets down to defeat Mitchell Krueger in a thrilling five-set match. Lehecka, who was down 3-0 in the third set, fought back to win 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5. He will now face No. 6 seed Andrey Rublev, who also came from two sets down to win his match, showcasing a trend of resilience among the top competitors.
The US Open continues to showcase dramatic and compelling matches, with Djokovic, Tiafoe, and Osaka among those making significant strides as the tournament progresses. Fans are eagerly watching as these players navigate the challenges of the tournament, with each match adding to the excitement of this year’s competition.
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