By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, September 3, 2018
Novak Djokovic dismissed Joao Sousa, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, powering into his 11th consecutive US Open quarterfinal and prospective blockbuster vs. Roger Federer.
Photo credit: @US Open
NEW YORK—Chasing Roger Federer in the all-time Grand Slam race, Novak Djokovic is awaiting the second-seeded Swiss in the US Open quarterfinals.
Playing the score effectively, Djokovic operated with efficiency beating the searing heat and scrappy Joao Sousa, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, in precisely two hours today.
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Empowered by ticking time in his head, Novak Djokovic played with clock-work proficiency powering into his 11th straight US Open quarterfinal on a sweltering, sticky day.
"I prefer not talking about it; we are blessed to play sport we love, this is one of the biggest stages of tennis and I'm just trying to cherish the moment on court," Djokovic told ESPN's Darren Cahill when asked about playing in searing conditions. "You know, I'm not 21 anymore. That was 10 years ago. I still don't feel old, but at the same time there is a little biological clock... Sometimes you just have to surivive."
In survival mode after undergoing elbow surgery in February, Djokovic has been thriving this summer.
The 13-time Grand Slam champion staggered to a 6-6 start.
Since then, Djokovic has surged to a 31-4 mark, including capturing his fourth Wimbledon crown—and sweeping seven-time champion Federer in last month's Cincinnati final to become the first man to collect all nine Masters 1000 championships.
It's been a remarkable run for Djokovic, who is philosophical bout his extended surge.
"I have imagined it, I have hoped for it, I have prayed for that, I have worked for that," Djokovic said. "But I'm not the only one. Obviously there are thousands of tennis players around the world that want to be a part of this beautiful sport."
Now, the 31-year-old Serbian awaits archrival Federer, who takes on fourth-round major debutant John Millman tonight.
Should the five-time US Open champion prevail, Federer will face off against Djokovic for a record-extending 16th major match-up with the Wimbledon winner holding a 9-6 edge over the 37-year-old Swiss.
The sixth-ranked Djokovic has won seven of his last nine meetings vs. Federer snatching a 24-22 lead in their head-to-head series while barging his way into the GOAT conversation.
"At the earlier stages of my professional career, I've lost to Roger more than I have won in terms of those big matches," Djokovic said. "He was just always so good in the most important matches, most important tournaments. He never seemed to drop a level of his tennis.
"To me, at the beginning of my career, professional career, I was struggling to have that consistency of the high level. That's where, you know, I had to sit down with the team and figure out the way what it takes to win against him, what do I need to improve in my game, my mental approach, mental strength, just ability to cope with the pressure in those moments and try to prevail.
"That was probably one of the ultimate challenges that I've ever had in my career."
Yet before setting the stage of a blockbuster against the Australian Open champion, Djokovic had work to do against a familiar foe he's treated as a personal punching bag.
Djokovic has dominated world No. 68 Sousa winning all 14 sets they've played because the slender Sousa does not serve big enough to trouble the Serbian and Djokovic has been able to torment the Portuguese player's two-handed backhand.
Sousa scattered his third double fault to gift a love break and the 36-minute opening set.
The Wimbledon winner committed just five unforced errors in the set, while Sousa doubled that output.
Trying to extend rallies, Sousa scored the first break of the second set, but Djokovic broke back to level after four games.
The first Portuguese man to reach a Grand Slam fourth round worked hard in the heat to stay in step, but a lapse in the 10th game cost him the set.
"I played him in Roland Garros last year, so he was playing good there," Sousa said. "But I didn't feel any difference. I think he's playing good. Perhaps he had some down in the past months, but he's playing good tennis. He's one of the best tennis players in the world. Of course, he's playing good tennis."
As Djokovic patiently probed with crosscourt drives, Sousa spit up successive forehand errors.
Playing efficient service games, the sixth-seeded Serbian surged out to two-set lead after 77 minutes of play.
On his second match point, Djokovic closed a sweaty two-hour conquest when Sousa sailed a forehand.
"Very happy to get this one done in straight sets," Djokovic said. "It was much more difficult than the score indicated. Credit Joao for fighting well. He brought a lot of intensity to court."