Everyone should know by now to never count out Novak Djokovic. No matter how big a deficit he faces. No matter how poorly he might be playing.
And so it made sense that Djokovic would manage to come all the way back from a two-set deficit to beat Laslo Djere 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the third round of the US Open, avoiding what would have been his earliest exit there since 2006.
“The message is sent to the rest of the field, obviously, that I’m still able to play five sets, deep (into the) night. Coming from two sets down always sends a strong message to future opponents,” said Djokovic, who next faces Borna Gojo, a 25-year-old qualifier from Croatia making his US Open debut.
“But I’m not really wanting to be in this position, to be honest,” Djokovic said. “I prefer a straight-set win. So hopefully, I can get back on that track in the next match.”
This one began under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night and did not wrap up until more than three-and-a-half hours later, concluding just after 1.30am.
It was Djokovic’s eighth career victory after dropping the opening two sets of a match. He also improved to 38-11 in five-setters.
Once he seized control, he held on tight and never let Djere recover. In the crucible of a fifth set, Djokovic was cool as can be, collecting 12 of the initial 14 points to leave no doubt how this would go.
He’s won three of his men’s-record 23 grand slam titles at Flushing Meadows and has been the runner-up a half-dozen times, including in 2021. The 36-year-old from Serbia did not compete in the US Open last year because he couldn’t travel to the United States as a foreigner who is not vaccinated against Covid-19; that rule was lifted this May.
Djokovic is seeded No. 2 in New York behind Carlos Alcaraz, and pretty much everyone has been expecting the two of them to meet for the championship on September 10. That appeared as if it might be derailed by Djere, a 28-year-old who is also from Serbia and was seeded 32nd.
“Trust me,” Djokovic said, “it was nerve-racking all the way until the last shot.”
This would have been by far the biggest victory of Djere’s career: he was trying to reach the fourth round at a grand slam tournament for the first time and came into Friday with a 0-6 record at majors against opponents ranked in the top 10.
Perhaps, the intimidation factor that favours Djokovic in most match-ups simply wasn’t there. They have known each other for years, practising together, spending time as Davis Cup teammates and competing on tour as a doubles pairing. When it ended, they met at the net for a hug, and Djokovic applauded as Djere walked off the court.
As he often does when trailing, Djokovic headed to the locker room between sets to change his clothes. And as he so often does, Djokovic came out a different player.
“I did a little pep talk in the mirror. I kind of laughed at myself, because I was so... agitated,” Djokovic said. “I forced myself to... lift the spirits.”
