After two unremarkable wins that drew more attention for his conditioning than his form, Djokovic produced a sharp 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3 victory over a competitive Cameron Norrie Friday night, albeit after more early-match drama surrounding his fitness.
“Yeah, it’s all right,” Djokovic said coyly when asked about his back during his on-court interview. “You have some ups and downs… You don’t want to reveal too much to the rivals listening and watching this interview.
“I’m good, man. I’m as young as ever, as strong as ever. Yes. It’s New York. Even if you’re feeling something body-wise, the energy that you’re feeling in this court just overrides it.”
The seventh seed played a lights-out first set in which he dropped just two points on serve and hit 17 winners, but an off-court medical time-out after the ninth game had fans inside Arthur Ashe Stadium concerned about his prospects.
The four-time US Open champion grabbed at his lower back late in the first set after an awkward movement at net to reflex back a ball that was above and behind his head. Before lining up to serve for the set at 5-4, the 38-year-old walked off Arthur Ashe Stadium to receive treatment in the locker room from ATP physio Clay Sniteman.
Djokovic was also treated at the first changeover of the second set but from that point looked largely free of discomfort for the remainder of the match.
In a high-quality contest, a bold Norrie hammered 44 winners, including 27 on the forehand wing. Djokovic hit 51 of his own, including 18 aces, a personal best at Flushing Meadows.
”Overall, it was probably the best serving performance of the tournament,” Djokovic said. “Of course, I’m glad for that. It’s probably one of the most, if not, the most important shot in the game. So I’m glad how I executed that shot.”
In the fourth round Djokovic will face German Jan-Lennard Struff, who upset 2024 semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7). The seven-time Nitto ATP Finals champion, who has spent 428 weeks as World No. 1 during his career, is seeded to meet Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals and Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.
Djokovic won his 24th and most recent major at Flushing Meadows in 2023.
Norrie, No. 34 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, slipped to 0-11 against Top 10 players at the majors and 0-7 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Djokovic.
