Djokovic digs deep for last eight spot

It wasn’t vintage Novak Djokovic, but the world No.1 battled through to beat American Jenson Brooksby at the US Open 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to book a quarter-final encounter with Italian sixth seed Matteo Berrettini.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Djokovic said. “He loves the big stage. Big serve, big game overall. I know what to expect. Going to try to prepare a good game plan and hope for the best.”

Djovokic is still on track to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to take out all four major titles in the same year.

But a shock was on the cards early on under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium as 20-year-old wildcard Brooksby broke the Serb in the second and sixth games to take the first set in 29 minutes.

Novak Djokovic shakes hands with Jenson Brooksby after the match. Photo: Garrett Ellwood/USTA

“He played a perfect first set,” Djokovic said. Afterwards. “I could do nothing. I was still finding my footing on the court.”

The second set was evenly matched before Djokovic took a 4-2 lead and held on.

From there it was academic as the world No.1 won 15 of the final 20 games to take out the tie in just under three hours.

Jenson Brooksby exits the court after the match. Photo: Garrett Ellwood/USTA
Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

2 days ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

2 weeks ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

2 weeks ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

2 weeks ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

1 month ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

1 month ago