Novak Djokovic didn’t impress within the first two rounds of the 2024 US Open. The previous world #1 has not misplaced any units up thus far within the match, however he didn’t appear 100% match and he himself admitted that he wanted extra time to precise his finest tennis.
The Serbian champion didn’t play a match on the onerous court docket for the reason that 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 onerous 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 far more fearsome than the primary two opponents confronted by Novak in New York.
Popryin is taking part in the most effective tennis of his profession and just lately gained 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 might danger in the present day
Djokovic should serve and play higher if he desires to keep away from bother within the third spherical of the US Open. The Serbian legend is conscious that his present stage will not be sufficient to get far on this match and he intends to observe onerous to achieve 100% of his situation. Nole has set one other spectacular document in NY after successful the second spherical towards 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 truth, Nole already boasts 94 wins on the Australian Open (with 10 triumphs), 96 at Roland Garros in Paris (3 titles gained) and even 97 at Wimbledon (the principle cup has raised it 7 instances).
The variety of victories akin to the occasion in Flushing Meadows might be additional elevated in nowadays by the quantity 2 on this planet, which has all of the intention to need to defend absolutely the standing of champion in workplace (No tennis participant has performed 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 tough season, during which she has nevertheless achieved the aim positioned on the prime of the checklist (the gold medal on the Olympic Video games in Paris).
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Djokovic will face the Australian Alexei Popyrin within the third spherical, who has already confronted him at Wimbledon on grass: “He’s improved so much, is a superb tennis participant and has simply gained his first Grasp 1000. He all the time had a great service and a very good proper, now he has improved additionally on the backhand and within the defensive section. I do know I’ve an incredible match to sit up for, I’ll overview our earlier challenges and attempt to higher perceive what I must do,” he stated within the press convention concerning the subsequent opponent.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had a abdomen concern throughout his final match towards Djere on the long-lasting Arthur Ashe Stadium: “I had abdomen points for many of the first two units, and that was mirrored in how I recovered after factors. I used to be sweating so much, discovering it onerous to breathe.”
Popyrin thinks he can win
Interviewed on the eve of the extremely anticipated problem, Popyrin stated he strongly believes he can beat the legend of Belgrade: “I actually imagine I might have gained 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 comfy there, loved each second. Djokovic is a really strong participant, however I really feel like he provides you alternatives on occasion within the factors.
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I believe he performed notably nicely at Wimbledon. I did not have many break possibilities and Novak combined his serves very nicely. So, I did not really feel as comfy as in Australia. I believe that was in all probability the closest and that is the one which harm me essentially the most. Then I felt disillusioned 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 just that I can compete with him. He is the most effective of all time and among the finest 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.”
