US Open 2023 results: Novak Djokovic beats Laslo Djere in five sets

By Daily Sports Nigeria on September 2, 2023

Novak Djokovic avoided a huge shock as he recovered from a two-set deficit to beat fellow Serb Laslo Djere and reach the US Open fourth round.

Djokovic, 36, maintained his bid for a record-equalling 24th major title with a 4-6 4-6 6-1 6-1 6-3 win in New York.

It is the eighth time in Djokovic's career he has fought back from two sets down to win.

On how a break after the second set helped his comeback, he said: "I did a pep talk in the mirror. It worked."

He added: "I laughed at myself because I was so agitated and annoyed with the game. I had to force myself to lift my spirits."

Three-time US Open champion Djokovic, who is aiming to move level with Australian Margaret Court's tally of major wins, will play Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo in the last 16.

Gojo, ranked 105th in the world, continued his remarkable run at Flushing Meadows with a 6-4 6-3 6-2 win over Czech Jiri Vesely.

Djokovic will be the overwhelming favourite to beat 25-year-old Gojo when they meet on Sunday, but showed he can still be vulnerable with a poor start against 32nd seed Djere.

However, he also showed all of the tenacity and powers of recovery which have made him arguably the greatest player of all-time.

Seeded second behind Spanish youngster Carlos Alcaraz in New York, Djokovic was considered as the joint favourite for the title even before his half of the draw further opened up after a number of top seeds were knocked out.

Djere has played some of the best tennis of his career this year, but few would have predicted he would threaten an upset against his compatriot.

He made the perfect start by breaking Djokovic's serve in the first game of the match and continued to take advantage of his opponent looking off the pace.

Using the drop shot to good effect, Djere maintained his lead in the opening set and a single break in the second made the implausible look more possible.

Against someone of Djokovic's calibre, there was still a long way to go, however.

The contest pivoted when Djokovic broke his opponent's serve at the start of the third set, hanging on in a 26-shot rally on break point and gaining the advantage when Djere hit a return into the net.

Djokovic, who will return to the top of the world rankings after the US Open whatever happens, raced through the set and further upped the intensity in the fourth.

The set started with three successive breaks of serve before Djokovic, putting his opponent under severe pressure by returning balls few others could, rattled off the next four games against a wearier-looking Djere.

When Djokovic moved 3-0 in front in the decider, it looked like the match would quickly be over.

Djere, though, refused to be steamrollered. Djokovic had to save a break point at 5-3, then hit a match point into the net after a tense baseline exchange, before taking his second chance to clinch victory at 01:32 local time.

After clapping Djere out of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Djokovic said: "It was one of the toughest matches I've played here in many years.

"Huge, huge credit to Laslo for playing some of the best tennis I've ever seen him play."

Source BBC

Posted September 2, 2023


 

You may also like...
Enyimba In Confed Cup Group of Death

FIFA Ends Intervention In African Football

Agbaji talks tough ahead MFM tie

Iwobi Has Until Friday to Win A Spot...

Golden Eaglets Soar High IN Brazil, Enyimba International...

Europa League: Ibrahimovic pops up to save Man...

 

Latest News Itauma battles Whyte in Riyadh D’Tigers thrash defending champions Tunisia Nnadozie gets hero’s welcome at Brighton AFN releases contingent for CAA Senior Athletics Championships Abuja to host Basketball All-Star weekend Nezianya, NOC PRO Joins Prestigious Agbalanze Society Of Onitsha D’Tigress makes history as only African team in FIBA top 10 New NPFL season to end May 2026 Joshua eyes first African bout in Ghana Tinubu’s $100k reward for five AfroBasket titles, says Kida AfroBasket: D’Tigers face tricky Tunisia test … Eagles coach defends 4-0 defeat

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,664 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,836 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,834 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,417 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,411 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,404 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (44,218 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,772 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,875 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,487 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,917 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,349 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