Djokovic, Serena return to court in
Day Five action
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[August 30, 2019]
By Frank Pingue
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic
will look to keep recent shoulder injury at bay as he resumes his
U.S. Open title defense in the third round, while Serena Williams
will look to take another step closer to a record-tying 24th Grand
Slam title on Friday.
Djokovic will conclude the evening session inside Arthur Ashe
Stadium when he faces American Denis Kudla in a rematch of their
second-round Wimbledon meeting, which the Serbian won in straight
sets.
But top-seeded Djokovic, who has won four of the last five Grand
Slams, may need his left shoulder to cooperate as sudden pain in his
second-round match affected his serve and backhand and nearly ended
his title defense.
"Good thing about Grand Slams is you have a day off in between the
matches," said Djokovic. "I'm hoping that with a proper medical help
and treatments, I'll be able to get myself in a better state."
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Roger Federer will try to avoid another slow start when he kicks off
the day session on Arthur Ashe against Briton Dan Evans and will be
followed on the court by six-times champion Williams.
Federer has lost the opening set in each of his first two matches
before flipping a switch and cruising to the finish line in dominant
fashion.
The 20-times Grand Slam champion, who improved to 2-0 all-time
against Evans when he beat him in the second round of the Australian
Open this year, is not losing any sleep over his sluggish starts.
"I don't think there is per se a secret to a good start other than
warming up well, being well-prepared mentally. Not underestimating
your opponent ... You know me, I will always do that," said Federer.
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![](../images/083019pics/sports6.jpg)
Serena Williams of the USA reacts after a missed point to Catherine
McNally of the USA in the second round on day three of the 2019 U.S.
Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis
Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
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"So when it happens like this back-to-back matches, you know, it's
just a bit frustrating more than anything ... but, yeah, can only do
better, which is a great thing moving forward."
Williams will also be keen to avoid falling into an early hole after
being dealt a scare when she dropped the first set in her
second-round match against American Caty McNally.
The 37-year-old will cap the afternoon session on the main showcourt
when she battles Wimbledon quarter-finalist Karolina Muchova for the
first time in her career.
"Muchova did well in Wimbledon. Actually got to see some of her
matches, but not enough," Williams said when asked about the test
that awaits her in the third-round.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue, editing by Nick Mulvenney)
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