Image credits: (AP photo/Frank Franklin II)
In a gripping U.S. Open showdown under the dazzling New York lights, Novak Djokovic displayed his trademark tenacity, crafting a remarkable comeback from a daunting two-set deficit to conquer his compatriot, Laslo Djere, with a final scoreline of 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 on a memorable Friday night. The victory propelled Djokovic into the coveted fourth round at the bustling Flushing Meadows.
For a moment, Djokovic seemed to be on the brink, but as he has done countless times in his illustrious career, he snatched triumph from the jaws of defeat, in front of a record-breaking crowd who held their breath inside the electric Arthur Ashe Stadium. This thrilling performance marked Djokovic’s 38th five-set victory and kept alive his ardent pursuit of a fourth U.S. Open title, a feat that would draw him level with the legendary Margaret Court’s record tally of 24 Grand Slam victories.
With sweat glistening on his brow, Djokovic addressed the crowd with a touch of humility, saying, “I hope you enjoyed the show, it was not so enjoyable for me especially in the first two sets. It was one of the toughest matches I have played here in many years.”
In his prior matches, Djokovic had appeared nearly invincible, surrendering just 11 games while cruising past Alexandre Muller and Bernabe Zapata Miralles. However, his 32nd-seeded compatriot, Djere, proved to be a formidable adversary, testing Djokovic’s mettle.
The only previous encounter between these two Serbs had hinted at Djere’s potential, with the contest in Belgrade last year requiring three grueling sets and two tie-breaks before Djokovic could claim victory.
From the very start of the match, Djere signaled that he would not be intimidated, breaking Djokovic early and maintaining his composure to clinch the first set, taking an unexpected 1-0 lead.
Facing the daunting prospect of challenging one of the greatest players in tennis history on the grandest stage of all, Djere remained fearless, exerting immense pressure with another break to go up 4-3 in the second set, shocking Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 2-0 lead.
Djokovic had his chances but didn’t seize them until his back was against the wall.
With the crowd still buzzing, Djokovic reemerged for the third set with renewed vigor and determination. He promptly broke Djere’s serve and followed it up with another break to lead 4-0, narrowing the overall deficit to 2-1.
Djokovic confessed, “I did a little pep talk in the mirror” during his bathroom break after the second set. “I kind of laughed at myself because I was agitated and annoyed with the result. I had to kind of force myself to lift my spirits.”
As Djere’s game began to falter, Djokovic continued to apply relentless pressure, breaking once more to open the fourth set, resulting in a triumphant fist pump from the 36-year-old.
But Djere wasn’t ready to concede, breaking back immediately and setting the stage for an epic third game that saw Djokovic regain control with yet another break.
With the finish line in sight, Djokovic surged ahead, winning six consecutive games to capture the fourth set, establishing a commanding 2-0 lead in the decisive fifth set that he would not relinquish.
Reflecting on his remarkable turnaround, Djokovic remarked, “Once I got the break in the third, I thought, ‘Okay, I have a shot, I have a chance.’ I might as well go after it. I started to play a bit more aggressively, started to read his game slightly more than I had in the first two sets, and it worked well. But trust me, it was nerve-wracking all the way until the last shot.”
In this unforgettable night at the U.S. Open, Novak Djokovic’s indomitable spirit and fierce determination left the crowd in awe and etched another chapter in his storied career.