Novak Djokovic defeated fellow countryman Laslo Djere at the US Open as Coco Gauff also advanced

Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff both had impressive victories as they advanced to the third round at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic, the Serbian star, faced a challenging match initially, even requiring an abdominal massage at one point due to the sweltering conditions. However, his opponent, Laslo Djere, retired early in the third set, allowing Djokovic to secure a 6-4 6-4 2-0 victory. This win marked a historic milestone for Djokovic, as he became the first tennis player, male or female, to achieve 90 or more career wins at all four Grand Slam events. He is now set to face Australian player Alexei Popyrin in the upcoming round.

In other matches, Taylor Fritz, a quarter-finalist last year, displayed a dominant performance as he defeated former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini with a score of 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-1. The American 12th seed will now take on Argentina’s Francisco Comesana in the next round. Additionally, former finalist Casper Ruud managed to secure a hard-fought victory against Gael Monfils in a rain-affected match, setting up a meeting with China’s Shang Juncheng.

On the women’s side, reigning singles champion Coco Gauff overcame a few early mistakes to triumph over unseeded German Tatjana Maria with a score of 6-4 6-0 in a lopsided encounter. Gauff’s outstanding performance included an incredible shot at the end of the first set, where a well-executed volley spun so vigorously that it hit the umpire’s chair, showcasing her exceptional skill and precision on the court.

However, the challenging conditions at the US Open took a toll on some players, including 16-year-old American Iva Jovic, who experienced heat exhaustion during her match against 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. Despite Jovic’s commendable efforts, the heat proved to be too much as she fell agonizingly short of a victory in a topsy-turvy final-set decider. Jovic’s opponent eventually clinched a 4-6 6-4 7-5 win, advancing to face Aryna Sabalenka in the third round.

Meanwhile, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen showcased resilience as she rallied from a set down to emerge victorious against Erika Andreeva with a scoreline of 6-7 (3-7) 6-1 6-2. These compelling performances set the stage for an exhilarating continuation of the tournament at Flushing Meadows.