Novak Djokovic is into the R3 of US Open for the 16th time however, the 23-time Grand Slam champion believes there is still room for better tennis.
Putting up a clinical display, Djokovic beat Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in just over two hours and described his win as a tough one.
“It has been a tough match, especially in the first set with the conditions. On the hardcourt, you feel it more,” claimed Djokovic. “I guess that is because the heat is absorbed in the surface. But it is the same for both players and you have to accept it.
He added, “I didn’t start the match very well but in the second and third set, I was a couple of levels higher. I am very pleased with the way I ended the match.”
As the Serb continues to play flawless tennis in the first week at New York, he talked about his physical from at 36 and the toll his body takes after competing at the biggest stages, “It is a bit different than it was 10 years ago. My body is responding slightly differently nowadays.
“But the good thing with Grand Slams is that we have a day between matches. Plenty of time to recuperate, and work on certain things in your game. I feel that I can play better.”
However, the 3-time US Open Champion admitted his body is feeling different at the age of 36, revealing that his motivation is as strong as ever, “At 36 years of age and after 20 years of coming to New York I still have the hunger and desire to play my best tennis on this court.”
The 2023 Cincinnati Open Champion is through to the R3 and is set to take on countryman ATP #38 ranked Laslo Djere with the former winning the only past meeting between the pair.
Novak Djokovic’s Potential Route to 4th US Open Title
Djokovic tends to once again breeze through first week comfortably unlike other seeds on his end of draw with only 7 out of 16 qualifying into the R3 so far. So the draw has opened up for the World No. 1 and it appears that he will get a favorable run to the final. Here is a provided – based off seeding – a potential route for Djokovic to reach the final.
R1: Beat Alexandre Muller, 6-0 6-2 6-3
R2: Beat Bernabe Zapata Miralles, 6-4 6-1 6-1
R3: Laslo Djere (32)
R4: Borna Gojo
Quarterfinal: Taylor Fritz (9)
Semifinal: Frances Tiafoe (10)
Final: Carlos Alcaraz (1)