Novak Djokovic did something incredible at the 2023 US Open. He was playing against another tennis player from Serbia named Laslo Djere. Djokovic was in trouble because he lost the first two sets of the match. But then, he came back to win the next three sets and the match. It was a tough and long game that lasted almost four hours!
This was not the first time Djokovic made a big comeback in a tennis match. He has done it eight times in his career, including this match against Djere. Here are some other matches where he did the same:
- 2022 Wimbledon – Quarterfinal against Sinner
- 2021 French Open – Final against Tsitsipas
- 2021 French Open – Fourth round against Musetti
- 2015 Wimbledon – Fourth round against Anderson
- 2012 French Open – Fourth round against Seppi
- 2011 US Open – Semifinal against Federer
- 2005 Wimbledon – Second round against G-Lopez
In the match against Djere, Djokovic started slow, but then he found his rhythm in the third set. He made Djere make more mistakes, especially with his forehand shots. One crucial moment was when Djokovic broke Djere’s serve early in the third set after a very long and exciting rally that lasted 26 shots. Djokovic’s comeback was on, and he asked the crowd in New York for their support.
Djere didn’t give up easily. He kept fighting even when Djokovic was winning more. Djokovic finally got the decisive break in the fourth set after a very long game. Then, with great defense and calm, he finished his comeback. The match ended just after 1:30 a.m. local time, and Djokovic even saved a break point when he was serving for the match.
With this win, Djokovic’s record for this season is now 41 wins and 5 losses. He has beaten Djere twice now. If he wins his next match, he will be in the history books as the oldest men’s champion at the US Open (in the Open Era) at 36 years old.
Next, Djokovic will play against a Croatian player named Borna Gojo, who earned his first spot in the fourth round of a major tournament by beating Jiri Vesely from the Czech Republic. Gojo is currently ranked 76th in the ATP Live Rankings, but with this win, he will likely enter the Top 100 for the first time after the US Open.
So, Djokovic’s incredible comeback keeps his quest for another Grand Slam title alive, and he faces a new challenge in the next round. Meanwhile, the American players Tiafoe, Fritz, and Paul are also doing well at the US Open as they advance to the Round of 16.