Djokovic Tested But Wins To Advance Slam Quest

By Daily Sports on September 7, 2021

 

Novak Djokovic warns his Grand Slam quest faces a tough challenge from Italian sixth seed Marco Berrettini in the US Open quarterfinals as they meet in a third consecutive Slam.

The 34-year-old Serbian advanced within three matches of completing the first calendar-year Grand Slam in 52 years on Monday by fending off 99th-ranked American Jenson Brooksby 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Not since Rod Laver in 1969 has a man swept all four major titles in the same year.

If top-ranked Djokovic wins his fourth career US Open crown, he will have a men's all-time record 21 Slam titles, breaking the deadlock he now has with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent with injuries.

Next up for the world No 1 is a Wimbledon final rematch against Berrettini, whom Djokovic called the “Hammer of Tennis” as “probably the hardest hitter of serve and forehand” next to 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro.

“He’s got the lethal-serve-plus-one game. He’s already established as a top player,” Djokovic said. “If he serves well, which is his biggest weapon, he’s tough. He’s tough on any surface to play against.”

Djokovic beat Berrettini in four sets in both a French Open quarterfinal and July's Wimbledon final, and won their only other meeting at the 2019 ATP Finals. He hopes to put the Hammer down once more.

“We’re going to play the third Grand Slam in a row against each other,” he said. “Hopefully the result will be the same like the previous two.”

Djokovic had a tussle with Brooksby until fitness factored in and the 20-year-old wildcard could not move around the court.

“Expected the battle, and I got one,” Djokovic said. “I’m pleased to overcome it.”

A tweet by 2003 US Open winner Andy Roddick during the match noted of Djokovic, “First he takes your legs... Then he takes your soul.”

“Thanks Andy,” Djokovic said. “I’ll take that as a compliment, the first part.

“The second part, I don’t take anybody’s souls... But I’ll take your legs out, that’s for sure.”

Djokovic was delighted to play before a full crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the wake of limited crowds at prior Slams due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“People missed the action, missed the entertainment, being locked up for more than a year,” he said. “Now under certain conditions you are able to go and watch sports live, which is nice.

“Last year and a half was tough for everyone, so it’s really refreshing and it’s really beautiful to see a full stadium.”

‘WHAT A GREAT RIDE’

As his potential date with history moved nearer, Djokovic recalled dyeing his hair for his first Slam match as a 17-year-old at the 2005 Australian Open.

“It wasn’t really very satisfying for my mother to see that,” Djokovic recalled. “The conversation we had after was not great for me. But we had a good laugh about it.

“That seems like ages ago, and it is. I mean, it has been now 16 years since my first centre court Grand Slam match. It has been a while.

“But what a great ride.”

Djokovic said it wasn’t easy to look back while he’s still trying to write history.

“It’s difficult to reflect on everything while you’re still in the bus and you’re still riding,” said Djokovic. “It’s kind of hard. People tend to ask me, ‘How does it feel? Do you comprehend what you’ve done? Do you think about the whole journey?’

“Of course, I do. But tennis is such a sport that really you have to turn the next page the next day.

“You don’t have much time, really, and energy to reflect on everything that you’ve been through. But I try to be grateful about it. Of course, I appreciate every single step in the journey.” (AFP)

Novak Djokovic in action

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 7, 2021


 

You may also like...
Flamingoes thrash hosts Namibia in U17 Women’s World...

Rio 2016: US swimmers ‘fabricated’ robbery report

David hits Amsterdam for FIFA seminar

Liverpool boss Klopp turns focus on ‘future’ after...

AFCON 2019: The Way We Are

Ilechukwu set for Rangers challenge

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,142 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,269 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,350 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,992 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,932 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,879 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,718 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,289 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,333 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,036 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,489 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,916 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media