Djokovic advances after Djere retires at US Open

Serbian Novak Djokovic advanced to the US Open third round Wednesday when his countryman Laslo Djere retired early in the third set. The second seed led 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 before the retirement under the roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“It’s not what we want. It’s not what the crowd wants, to see a walkover,” Djokovic said. “But he obviously had an injury that took him out of the Tour for some time and he is struggling to come back physically to this level. He’s such a good player, especially in these conditions. It should’ve been his second set, honestly. It was 4-2, 15/40.

“Overall, it was a big fight. Over two hours for two sets. I served awful. So playing without the serve, you have to grind, you have to run. So I guess I had to rely on my baseline game.”

Djere held two break points at 4-2 in the second set that would have allowed him to serve for the set had he converted. The 29-year-old did not win another game. He called a medical timeout before serving at 4-5 and received treatment in the abdominal area.

Djokovic made just 47 per cent of his first serves, the same percentage he recorded in the first round against Radu Albot. After sealing the opening set by breaking Djere to love at 5-4, Djokovic called the physio and took a tablet, though he did not call a medical timeout. Both players were visibly gasping for air at times following lengthy rallies in the humid conditions.

Across two hours and 16 minutes, Djokovic committed 26 unforced errors and converted four of his 10 break chances.

By advancing, Djokovic became the first male player to record 90 wins at all four majors. He is eight victories shy of tying Jimmy Connors for most US Open match wins.

This was Djokovic’s second consecutive year facing Djere at Flushing Meadows. Last year, Djokovic trailed two-sets-to-love before storming back and eventually claiming the trophy. Djere was the only player to win a set against Djokovic at last year’s US Open.

Up next for the defending champion is Alexei Popyrin, who the Belgrade native beat at the Australian Open and at Wimbledon, both in four sets. Djokovic will look for a third victory against Popyrin in as many majors this year and improve upon his 3-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead. Montreal champion Popyrin defeated Pedro Martinez 6-2, 6-4, 6-0.

Djokovic, 31-7 on the season, is chasing a 25th major crown and 100th tour-level title. Should he claim his fifth US Open title, Djokovic would break a tie with Australia’s Margaret Court for most Slam singles titles, male or female.

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