Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff advanced to the third round of the US Open following their successful night matches on Wednesday.
Novak Djokovic faced a challenging start, requiring an abdominal massage during the match, but ultimately triumphed when his opponent, Laslo Djere, retired early in the third set due to injury. Djere was leading 4-2 in the second set before succumbing to hip issues, leading to his decision to forfeit while Djokovic held a 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 advantage.
This victory marked a significant milestone for Djokovic, making him the first player in tennis history—male or female—to achieve 90 or more career wins at all four Grand Slam tournaments. Djokovic is set to face Alexei Popyrin of Australia in the next round.
“It’s not what we want. It’s not what the crowd wants, to see a walkover,” Djokovic remarked after the match. “But he obviously had an injury that kept him out for some time and is struggling to return to this level.”
In another match, Taylor Fritz, last year’s quarter-finalist, dispatched Italy’s Matteo Berrettini with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7-1), 6-1. Fritz will go up against Francisco Comesana of Argentina, who defeated 17th seed Ugo Humbert earlier in the tournament.
Coco Gauff Proceeds to Third Round
Reigning women’s singles champion Coco Gauff redeemed a shaky start to decisively defeat unseeded German player Tatjana Maria with a score of 6-4, 6-0. Gauff’s performance showcased her resilience, overcoming early errors to dominate the second set, finishing with a flawless score.
Analyzing her match, Gauff remarked, “I played well overall, but I could serve better, which would have simplified the first set.” The young star is aiming to become the first woman to defend her US Open singles title since Serena Williams accomplished the feat from 2012 to 2014.
Teenager Iva Jovic Falls Short After Medical Scare
In a dramatic encounter, 16-year-old Iva Jovic’s US Open dreams were dashed due to heat exhaustion, as she was set to meet Aryna Sabalenka in the next round. Jovic showed promise by winning the first set against 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, but dangerous heat conditions—reaching nearly 40C—ultimately hampered her performance. Despite receiving medical attention, she managed to continue but lost with a nail-biting score of 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Victoria Azarenka Overcomes Migraine Challenges
Victoria Azarenka demonstrated exceptional fortitude by battling through a migraine during her match against Clara Burel, ultimately winning 6-1, 6-4. Post-match, Azarenka expressed her struggle, stating, “I tried to hope it would get better. It’s just tough to deal with.”
With exciting matches and intense competition continuing, the US Open is delivering unforgettable moments this season. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses.
