Novak Djokovic didn’t impress within the first two rounds of the 2024 US Open. The previous world no 1 has not misplaced any units up up to now within the event, however he didn’t appear 100% match and he himself admitted that he wanted extra time to specific his finest tennis.
The Serbian champion didn’t play a event on the exhausting court docket because the Indian Wells Masters 1000 in spring, having determined to skip the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters 1000 after his triumph on the Paris Olympics. The 24-time Grand Slam champion knew he wanted a break after the exhausting work of the final two months, when he additionally needed to bear knee surgical procedure.
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After defeating Radu Albot and Laslo Djere, Nole will face Alexei Popryin for a spot within the spherical of 16. The 37-year-old from Belgrade should pay shut consideration to the Australian ace, who possesses harmful weapons on this floor and is way more fearsome than the primary two opponents confronted by Novak in New York.
Popryin is enjoying one of the best tennis of his profession and not too long ago received the primary Masters 1000 of his profession in Montreal. The Australian will play with nothing to lose and has already proven that he can dominate the world quantity 2 this yr on the Australian Open and the Wimbledon Championships.
Nole may danger at this time
Djokovic should serve and play higher if he needs to keep away from bother within the third spherical of the US Open. The Serbian legend is conscious that his present degree is just not sufficient to get far on this event and he intends to follow exhausting to succeed in 100% of his situation. Nole has set one other spectacular document in NY after profitable the second spherical in opposition to compatriot Laslo Djere.
The Serbian champion is the primary participant in historical past to win 90 matches in all Grand Slam tournaments: a threshold reached additionally in New York, which was the lacking competitors. In reality, Nole already boasts 94 wins on the Australian Open (with 10 triumphs), 96 at Roland Garros in Paris (3 titles received) and even 97 at Wimbledon (the principle cup has raised it 7 occasions).
The variety of victories equivalent to the occasion in Flushing Meadows shall be additional elevated in as of late by the quantity 2 on this planet, which has all of the intention to wish to defend totally the standing of champion in workplace (No tennis participant has finished it since 2008, after the 5 consecutive triumphs of Roger Federer). Novak will definitely struggle to search out the twenty fifth Slam of her profession and the primary title of a really troublesome season, through which she has nevertheless achieved the objective positioned on the high of the listing (the gold medal on the Olympic Video games in Paris).
Djokovic will face the Australian Alexei Popyrin within the third spherical, who has already confronted him at Wimbledon on grass: “He’s improved rather a lot, is a good tennis participant and has simply received his first Grasp 1000. He all the time had an excellent service and a very good proper, now he has improved additionally on the backhand and within the defensive part. I do know I’ve a terrific match to stay up for, I’ll evaluate our earlier challenges and attempt to higher perceive what I must do,” he mentioned within the press convention concerning the subsequent opponent.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had a abdomen concern throughout his final match in opposition to Djere on the enduring Arthur Ashe Stadium: “I had abdomen points for a lot of the first two units, and that was mirrored in how I recovered after factors. I used to be sweating rather a lot, discovering it exhausting to breathe.”
Popyrin thinks he can win
Interviewed on the eve of the extremely anticipated problem, Popyrin mentioned he strongly believes he can beat the legend of Belgrade: “I actually imagine I may have received that match if I had taken the third set within the Australian Open. I felt like I used to be within the driver’s seat, very snug there, loved each second. Djokovic is a really strong participant, however I really feel like he provides you alternatives every so often within the factors.
I believe he performed significantly nicely at Wimbledon. I did not have many break possibilities and Novak combined his serves very nicely. So, I did not really feel as snug as in Australia. I believe that was most likely the closest and that is the one which damage me probably the most. Then I felt disenchanted as a result of I felt like I used to be within the match and will have had my possibilities to win there.
What I’ve discovered from these two matches is solely that I can compete with him. He is one of the best of all time and among the best gamers on this planet proper now, however I can go toe to toe with him, and solely in the details does he step up a bit, I simply have to attend for that if I play with him.”
