Novak Djokovic will be playing in the 2023 US Open quarterfinals after beating Croatia's Borna Gojo in three sets.
One of the two main favourites in the ATP draw didn't play an easy third-round match. Djokovic had to come back from a 0-2 deficit against compatriot Laslo Djere, and the Serb certainly wanted to avoid similar drama in his fourth-round match.
This time around, the 23-time Grand Slam champion played against a much lower-ranked opponent, as Borna Gojo has been playing the tournament of his life, reaching the fourth round as a qualifier and world no. 105.
It was the first meeting on the ATP Tour for the two, and it started much better for Djokovic, who has break points on three of his opponent's four service games in the opening set, and after using two of his chances, the second seed won the set comfortably 6-2.
Wanting to avoid a late-night finish, Djokovic knew the second set would be crucial, but he didn't start well. Gojo was able to get an early break, and early in the set, the Croat led 2-0 over his more experienced opponent.
Yet, Djokovic has immediately recovered that break, and after losing only four more points on his serve in the remainder of the second set, he created the only other break point chance in the eleventh game, and thanks to using it, Djokovic won the second set 7-5.
With a comfortable 2-0 lead, all seemed to be going Djokovic's way, and it indeed did. He had three more break points in the third set of the match, and again, converting only one was necessary to win the set, and in this case also the match.
After two hours and 27 minutes, the second-seeded Djokovic won the match 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 to reach the 2023 US Open quarterfinals, his first since his last appearance at Flushing Meadows which happened in 2021, when he missed out on the title against Daniil Medvedev.
It's safe to say that in the upcoming two rounds, the 36-year-old Serb won't be having the crowd's support. First, he'll take on the ninth-seeded Taylor Fritz for a spot in the quarterfinals, and if he wins, another American awaits in a fight for the spot in the final.
Ben Shelton defeated Tommy Paul in four sets, while Frances Tiafoe was able to beat Rinky Hijikata in three sets, setting up an all-American quarterfinal, meaning that if Djokovic wants to play in the final, he will need to beat two American players in matches that will be likely played at the Arthur Ashe Stadium at night.
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