By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Picture credit score: AFP through Getty
4-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic nonetheless has some inquiries to reply, however for now, he handed a second spherical check to get himself into the third spherical in New York.
By doing so, he tied a file with one other all-time nice – Roger Federer.
The No. 7 seed Djokovic obtained by way of American qualifier Zachary Svajda 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 to succeed in the third spherical in New York. With that win, he now ties Federer for 191 profession main onerous courtroom victories.
Regardless of not taking part in his finest at instances, Djokovic managed to get by way of the match in 4 units. He was helped, in some half, by Svajda coping with bodily problems with his personal halfway by way of the match.
“I wasn’t actually proud of my tennis within the first a part of the match,” Djokovic mentioned afterwards. “That’s additionally a credit score to Zach for taking part in some actually prime quality tennis. It’s unlucky that he clearly struggled with an harm towards the tip of the second. Kudos to him staying on the courtroom.”
The issues if Djokovic, who selected to not play any lead-up occasions previous to New York, is 100% wholesome are nonetheless up within the air regardless of the win at the moment.
The 22-year-old Svajda, now ranked World No. 145, has loved success this summer time on the Challenger circuit. He proved he was prepared for the problem dealing with Djokovic on Arthur Ashe Stadium firstly of the match.
Svajda hung robust with Djokovic of their rallies within the first set. Finally, Svajda took the primary set tiebreak as he pounced with a backhand winner on set level.
Nonetheless, Djokovic’s expertise proved an excessive amount of because the 24-time main winner raised his degree within the second set. By the point the third set rolled round, Svajda handled cramping points hindering his play.
Djokovic took benefit and finally raced by way of the third and fourth units to wrap up the win in simply over two and half hours.
Djokovic, after his first spherical win in opposition to American Leaner Tien, admitted afterwards he wasn’t feeling his finest in that match both.
“It’s barely a priority,” Djokovic mentioned. “I don’t have any harm or something. I simply struggled rather a lot to remain in lengthy exchanges and get well after factors.”
Subsequent up for Djokovic is both Cameron Norrie or Francisco Comesana.
