US Open: Djokovic moves into 4th round after defeating Nishikori, Alexander Zverev advances
Novak Djokovic has fought an uphill battle with his old rival Kei Nishikori of Japan to reach the 4th round of the 2021 U.S. Open Men’s Singles and retain his bid for the Calendar Slam and his 21st major on Saturday night.
World No. 1 Djokovic dropped the opening game but rallied back to beat former US Open runners-up Nishikori 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
Following first-ever meetings with Denmark’s Holger Rune and Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, Djokovic faced a seasoned campaigner in Nishikori, who was runner-up at the 2014 U.S. Open having beaten the Serb to move into that year’s final.
Since then it has been one-way traffic in the rivalry with Djokovic sweeping 17 straight contests against the Japanese player, improving his head-to-head record to 18-2.
The toughest match for me so far: Djokovic
“So far the toughest match of the tournament for me,” said Djokovic. “The opening two rounds obviously felt well, played good.
“But the pace of the ball and the speed of Nishikori’s tennis today was just higher than the opening two rounds’ opponents that I had.”
Usually the headliner under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights, Djokovic made a matinee appearance on Saturday and appeared unsettled by the conditions as he went to work under a blazing sun.
For the first time this week New York fans, who have not always embraced Djokovic, got behind the history-hunting Serb, showering him with cheers that had largely gone to his opponents.
A tight opening set was snatched by Nishikori in a tiebreak before Djokovic began to settle into the contest, breaking the Japanese player twice in the second on his way to leveling the match at a set apiece.
Djokovic now awaits the winner of the match between U.S. wildcard Jenson Brooksby and Russian Aslan Karatsev.
Sock retires after troubling Zverev
Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev advanced to the fourth round when Jack Sock was forced to retire in the fourth set because of an injury.
Zverev led 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 and held a 2-1 lead when Sock had to call it quits.
Sock has been bothered by a groin injury and he was forced on his back for more than 5 minutes in the second set while a trainer worked on him.
