Second seed Novak Djokovic scored a memorable comeback in the US Open third round Friday against Laslo Djere to keep his hopes alive for a record-extending 24th major title.
Djokovic recovered from two-sets-to-love down for the eighth time in his career, clawing past his countryman 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 after three hours, 45 minutes.
For the first 90 minutes of the match, Djere held the advantage in extended rallies as he produced fearless, heavy-hitting from the baseline and often hit behind Djokovic to put him off balance. The 95-time tour-level titlist regrouped, quickly raising his level in the third set as he drew errors from Djere's forehand to pull the match back within reach.
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The turning point came when Djokovic broke serve for the first time at 1-0 in the third set by winning an exciting 26-shot rally. The Serbian then lifted his hands in the air as if he were asking the New York crowd for more support.
And just like that, Novak Djokovic opens the third set with a break. pic.twitter.com/pKYRAgzgxl
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2023Despite the lopsided score in the final three sets, Djere was still putting Djokovic to the test under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Djokovic earned a gut-punching break after a marathon 10-minute game at 1-1 in the fourth set, in which the 32nd seed had earlier struck a stunning one-hand backhand flick past the three-time US Open titlist.
Djokovic then earned more looks on return and found top-tier defence in the latter stages of the match, deflating Djere's hopes of earning the biggest win of his career. When the clock hit 1:32 a.m., Djokovic booked his place in the fourth round after fending off a break point while serving for the match.
Djokovic's Two-Set Comebacks
| Event | Round | Opponent | Score |
| '23 US Open | R3 | Djere | 46 46 61 61 63 |
| '22 Wimbledon* | QF | Sinner | 57 26 63 62 62 |
| '21 R. Garros* | F | Tsitsipas | 67 26 63 62 64 |
| '21 R. Garros* | R4 | Musetti | 66 67 61 60 40 ret. |
| '15 Wimbledon* | R4 | Anderson | 67 67 61 64 75 |
| '12 R. Garros | R4 | Seppi | 46 67 63 75 63 |
| '11 US Open* | SF | Federer | 67 46 63 62 75 |
| '05 Wimbledon | R2 | G-Lopez | 36 36 76 76 64 |
* Won title
Boasting a 41-5 match record this season, Djokovic improved to 2-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Djere, whom he also beat last year at the ATP 250 event in Belgrade despite being two points from defeat.
Should the 36-year-old Djokovic claim his third major title of the season this fortnight, he will become the oldest men's champion in US Open history (Open Era).
Djokovic will next meet Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo, who is unbroken this week. The 25-year-old defeated Czech Jiri Vesely 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 on Friday to reach his maiden major fourth round. Up 29 spots to No. 76 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, Gojo is guaranteed to crack the Top 100 for the first time following the season’s final major.