Everyone should know by now that Novak Djokovic should never be underestimated. Regardless of how large the deficit is. Regardless of how terrible he is performing.
So it was natural for Djokovic to come back from a two-set disadvantage to defeat Laslo Djere 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the third round of the US Open, avoiding his earliest loss since 2006.
“Of course, winning a game is always preferable to losing a game.” “It’s as simple as that,” said Djokovic, who will next play Borna Gojo, a 25-year-old Croatian qualifier making his US Open debut. “I think it sends a message to the rest of the field that I can still play five sets deep at night, and coming from two sets down always sends a strong message to future opponents.”
“However, to be honest, I don’t really want to be in this position.” I prefer a one-set victory. So hopefully I’ll be able to get back on track in the next match.”
This one began under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night and lasted more than 312 hours, ending just after 1:30 a.m.
It was Djokovic’s eighth career victory after losing the first two sets. Djokovic was 1-6 in the first two sets at the US Open prior to Friday, with the lone win coming against Roger Federer in the 2011 semifinal.
Djokovic, who has a career record of 38-11 in five-set matches, has won three of his men’s record 23 Grand Slam championships at Flushing Meadows and been runner-up a half-dozen times, including in 2021. The 36-year-old Serbian could not play in the US Open last year because he could not enter the US as a foreigner who had not been immunised against COVID-19; that ban was abolished in May.
This would have been Djere’s most significant triumph. He was attempting to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam event for the first time, and came into Friday with a 0-6 record against top-10 opponents in majors.
Perhaps the intimidation element that usually favours Djokovic in most matches wasn’t present. They’ve known one other for years, having practised together, been Davis Cup partners, and competed on tour as a doubles duo.
When it was over, they hugged at the net, and Djokovic cheered as Djere went off the court.
Djere came out strong with the temperature about 65 degrees. On the longest baseline exchanges, he was outlasting Djokovic.
“Everything was kind of in his striking zone,” remarked Djokovic. “It was extremely difficult for me to come up with a solution.”
Djere won 28 of the 44 points that lasted five or more strokes in the first two sets. Djokovic’s footwork seemed to be a little off. His ball control also improved. He’d raise his arms after some misses and frown after others.
The match had been going for 1 hour, 33 minutes when Djokovic halfheartedly pushed a forehand return long to end the second set.
Djokovic went to the locker room between sets to change his clothes, as he often does when trailing. And, as he often does, Djokovic emerged a different player.
“I gave myself a pep talk in the mirror. “I laughed at myself because I was so… agitated,” Djokovic said.
He broke for the first time all night to take a 2-0 lead in the third set, claiming a 27-stroke point when Djere capitulated with a forehand into the net.
Djokovic asked the fans to salute him by flapping his arms and waving his hands. That performance would be over in an instant.
“Once I got the break in the third, I thought, ‘OK. I have a shot. I might as well go after it,’” he said.
Djokovic broke to begin the fourth, using his trademark defensive skills to prolong a point until snapping a forehand winner as Djere lost his footing.
Djokovic turned toward his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, and the rest of his entourage in the stands, shouting and punching the air twice.
Later in that set, Djokovic ranged so far to his right to extend a point that he was wide of the doubles alley, and Djere — likely surprised to see the ball headed back at him — missed a forehand.
That was part of a pattern that would be repeated down the stretch. Message sent.
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