By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday August 28, 2024
New York— Novak Djokovic earned his 90th US Open win on Wednesday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, but didn’t come away feeling extra confident in his form.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion struggled to find his serve and showed his frustration against his compatriot Laslo Djere, but he had enough game to take a two sets to love lead against his dangerous oppenent, and his night ended early when Djere retired due to injury.
After the match Djokovic talked about his performance in the 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 victory.
“I haven't really been serving well the first two matches here, so I'm still kind of trying to find that rhythm and tempo on the serve,” he said.
“If you don't have a good percentage of first serves in, you have to work for your points. Particularly against a player like Djere, who is really good from baseline from both ends, forehand and backhand. Just very solid player. Likes to attack, but he is also comfortable defending.”
Djokovic only made 47 percent of his first serves, and he had to face eight break points against Djere.
Though it wasn't his most epic US Open performance, the victory did represent a milestone. The 37-year-old picked up his 90th US Open win, and becomes the only male player in history to have logged 90 or more wins at all four majors.
The Serbian legend also has more wins at the Grand Slams than any other player, male or female. He is now eight victories clear of Roger Federer with a 377-50 all-time record at the majors.
Pushed By Djere But Clutch When It Mattered
It could have been a different match, but Djokovic saved a pair of break points while serving at 2-4, 15-40 in the second set, and rallied to take the final four games of the set. In the next game Djere missed an easy forehand volley to give Djokovic the break back – he failed to convert two break points that would have given him a 5-3 lead in the set.
“I was lucky that he missed that forehand,” he said. “It was quite easy forehand. But, you know, that's tennis when you are fighting and playing long rallies and the pressure mounts when you have that important point that you have to play the shots that normally nine out of ten you wouldn't miss, and then you miss.”
The two hours and 12 minutes on court were spent in extremely humid conditions in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Temperatures are expected to be cooler for the rest of the tournament.
“Last year I remember we had a five-setter,” Djokovic said after improving to 3-0 lifetime against Djere and 2-0 against him at the US Open. “So I knew coming into the match that if I don't serve well, which was the case, I'm going to have to really grind and work for my points a lot. That's what I guess caused the two sets to be played over two hours.”
The four-time US Open champion will face Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in the third round.
“The matches are only going to get tougher from here,” he said. “I know that, but I'm fine. I'll find my way, as I have done many times in my career.”