NEW YORK — Everyone ought to know by now to by no means depend out Novak Djokovic. No matter how huge a deficit he faces. No matter how poorly he is likely to be enjoying.
And so it made sense that Djokovic would handle to come back all the best way again from a two-set deficit to beat Laslo Djere 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 within the third spherical of the U.S. Open, avoiding what would have been his earliest exit there since 2006.
“The message is sent to the rest of the field, obviously, that I’m still able to play five sets, deep (into the) night. Coming from two sets down always sends a strong message to future opponents,” stated Djokovic, who subsequent faces Borna Gojo, a 25-year-old qualifier from Croatia making his U.S. Open debut.
“But I’m not really wanting to be in this position, to be honest,” Djokovic stated. “I prefer a straight-set win. So hopefully I can get back on that track in the next match.”
This one started below the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night time and didn’t wrap up till greater than 3 1/2 hours later, concluding simply after 1:30 a.m.
It was Djokovic’s eighth profession victory after dropping the opening two units of a match. He additionally improved to 38-11 in five-setters.
PHOTOS: Novak Djokovic is headed to a fifth set towards Laslo Djere on the US Open
Once he seized management, he held on tight and by no means let Djere recuperate. In the crucible of a fifth set, Djokovic was cool as might be, amassing 12 of the preliminary 14 factors to go away little doubt how this might go.
He’s received three of his males’s-record 23 Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows and been the runner-up a half-dozen occasions, together with in 2021. The 36-year-old from Serbia didn’t compete within the U.S. Open final yr as a result of he couldn’t journey to the United States as a foreigner who will not be vaccinated towards COVID-19; that rule was lifted this May.
Djokovic is seeded No. 2 in New York behind Carlos Alcaraz, and just about everybody has been anticipating the 2 of them to satisfy for the championship on Sept. 10. That appeared as if it is likely to be derailed by Djere, a 28-year-old who can be from Serbia and was seeded thirty second.
“Trust me,” Djokovic stated, “it was nerve-racking all the way until the last shot.”
This would have been by far the largest victory of Djere’s profession: He was making an attempt to succeed in the fourth spherical at a Grand Slam event for the primary time and got here into Friday with an 0-6 report at majors towards opponents ranked within the Top 10.
Perhaps the intimidation issue that favors Djokovic in most matchups merely wasn’t there. They have identified one another for years, practising collectively, spending time as Davis Cup teammates and competing on tour as a doubles pairing.
When it ended, they met on the web for a hug, and Djokovic applauded as Djere walked off the court docket.
With the temperature down round 65 levels Fahrenheit (18 Celsius), Djere got here out robust. He was outlasting Djokovic on the lengthiest baseline exchanges.
“Everything was kind of in his striking zone,” Djokovic stated. “It was very hard for me to find a solution.”
Across the primary two units, Djere claimed 28 of 44 factors that lasted 5 or extra strokes. Djokovic’s footwork appeared a bit off. His management of the ball did, too. He would throw up his arms after some misses or grimace after others.
When Djokovic halfheartedly pushed a forehand return lengthy to finish the second set, the match was 1 hour, 33 minutes previous, and every thing was going Djere’s means.
As he typically does when trailing, Djokovic headed to the locker room between units to vary his garments.
And as he so typically does, Djokovic got here out a unique participant.
“I did a little pep talk in the mirror. I kind of laughed at myself, because I was so … agitated,” Djokovic stated. “I forced myself to … lift the spirits.”
He lastly broke for the primary time all night to guide 2-0 within the third set, successful a 27-stroke level when Djere capitulated with a forehand into the web.
Djokovic flapped his arms and waved his fingers to ask the group to salute him. That set can be over in a blink.
“Once I got the break in the third, I thought, ’OK. I have a shot. I have a chance. I might as well go after it,’” he stated.
Djokovic broke to start the fourth, utilizing his trademark defensive expertise to lengthen a degree till snapping a forehand winner as Djere misplaced his footing.
Djokovic turned towards his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, and the remainder of his entourage within the stands, shouting and punching the air twice.
Later in that set, Djokovic ranged to date to his proper to increase a degree that he was extensive of the doubles alley, and Djere – probably stunned to see the ball headed again at him – missed a forehand.
That was a part of a sample that will be repeated down the stretch. Message despatched.
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