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Novak Djokovic fought back from 2 sets down to advance to the US Open
After Laslo Djere took the first two sets, Novak Djokovic came back to win in five sets and advance to the fourth round of the US Open.
NEW YORK — Everything needs to be known now so it doesn’t count Novak Djokovic. No matter how big the deficit he is facing. It doesn’t matter how bad he plays.
And so it makes sense that Djokovic was able to come back from a two-set deficit to defeat Laslo Djere 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the third round of the US Open, avoiding the in what will be his first outing there since 2006.
“Of course, winning a match is always better than losing a match. It’s as simple as that,” said Djokovic, who will next face Borna Gojo, a 25-year-old qualifier from Croatia who made his US Open debut. “I think the message is sent to the rest of the field that I can still play five sets late at night, and from two sets down always sends a strong message to future opponents.
“But at the same time, I really don’t want to be in this position, really. I’d prefer a straight-set win. So hopefully I can get back on that track in the next match.”
It started under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night and didn’t end until more than 3 1/2 hours later, ending just after 1:30 a.m.
It was Djokovic’s eighth career win after dropping the first two sets in one match. Before Friday, Djokovic was 1-6 at the US Open when losing the first two sets, with the lone victory coming against Roger Federer in the 2011 semifinal.
Once he seized control, he held tight and did not allow Djere to recover. In the crucible of the fifth set, Djokovic was as cool as could be, collecting 12 of the initial 14 points to leave no doubt as to what it was.
Djokovic, who improved to 38-11 in five-setters in his career, has won three of his men’s record 23 Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows and has been runner-up half a dozen times, including in 2021 .The 36-year-old from Serbia did not compete in the US Open last year because he could not travel to the United States as a foreigner who was not vaccinated against COVID-19; that rule was lifted this May.
Djokovic is seeded No. 2 in New York behind Carlos Alcaraz, and almost everyone expects the two to meet for the championship this Sept. old Serbian also and 32nd seeded.
“Trust me,” said Djokovic, “it will be exciting until the last shot.”
It would have been the biggest win of Djere’s career: He was trying to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time and came into Friday with an 0-6 record in majors against opponents who had in the top 10.
Perhaps the intimidation factor that Djokovic favors in most matches is not there. They have known each other for years, practicing together, spending time as Davis Cup teammates and competing on tour as a double pairing.
When it was over, they met at the net to hug, and Djokovic clapped as Djere walked off the court.
With the temperature dropping to around 65 degrees, Djere came out strong. He surpassed Djokovic in the longest baseline exchange.
“Everyone is in his striking zone,” Djokovic said. “It was very difficult for me to find a solution.”
In the first two sets, Djere conceded 28 of 44 points that lasted five or more strokes. Djokovic’s footwork seems a bit off. His control of the ball was also done. He would throw up his arms after a few misses or growl after others.
When Djokovic heartily pushed a forehand return long to close out the second set, the match was 1 hour, 33 minutes long, and it was all Djere’s way.
As he always does when trailing, Djokovic went to the locker room between sets to change his clothes. And as he always does, Djokovic came out a different player.
“I did a little pep talk in the mirror. I kind of laughed at myself, because I was … upset,” said Djokovic. “I forced myself to … raise spirits.”
He finally broke for the first time all night to lead 2-0 in the third set, winning a 27-stroke point when Djere smashed a forehand into the net.
Djokovic clapped his arms and waved his hands to ask the crowd to salute him. That set ends in the blink of an eye.
“When I got the break in the third, I thought, ‘OK. I’ve got a shot. I’ve got a chance. I might as well go after it,'” he said.
Djokovic broke to start the fourth, using his defensive marking skills to extend a point until a forehand winner was lost as Djere lost his footing.
Djokovic turned to his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, and the rest of his entourage in the stands, yelling and punching the air twice.
Later in the set, Djokovic went too far to his right to extend a point wide of doubles alley, and Djere – perhaps surprised to see the ball come back to him – missed a forehand.
That’s part of a pattern repeated below. Message sent.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.