Defending U.S. Open champion Novak Djokovic continued his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title on Wednesday, advancing to the third round after fellow Serbian Laslo Djere retired due to injury.
Djokovic was leading 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 when Djere was forced to withdraw from the match, securing Djokovic his 90th U.S. Open victory—a milestone no other man has reached at all four Grand Slams.
The match initially promised a thrilling battle reminiscent of their five-set showdown in last year’s third round. Djere, unseeded and determined, managed to break Djokovic’s serve in the second set, hinting at another epic encounter under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
However, Djere’s momentum was cut short when he appeared to suffer an injury midway through the second set. Despite his efforts, the physical setback was too much to overcome, handing Djokovic an unexpected win.
“It’s never the way we want to win,” Djokovic acknowledged after the match. “It’s not what the crowd wants, either. But unfortunately, he had an injury that’s been bothering him and is still struggling to compete at this level. He’s such a strong player, especially in these conditions. Honestly, he deserved to take the second set.”
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Djokovic, who struggled in his opening-round match and had to contend with sweltering heat, appeared to be feeling the effects of the tough conditions. Frequently wrapping himself in ice towels during changeovers, the four-time U.S. Open champion pushed through and managed to break Djere’s serve in the 10th game of the first set, capitalizing on a series of unforced errors by his opponent.
With this victory, Djokovic remains firmly on track to make history with his 25th Grand Slam title, further cementing his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Djokovic to see if he can withstand the challenges ahead and continue his dominant run at Flushing Meadows.
