Djokovic shrugs off shoulder issue
to reach last 16
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[August 31, 2019]
By Frank Pingue
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Defending champion
Novak Djokovic silenced concerns about his left shoulder as the
Serbian breezed past American Denis Kudla 6-3 6-4 6-2 on Friday to
reach the last 16 at the U.S. Open.
Djokovic's title defense looked to be in jeopardy in his previous
match when he received treatment on his shoulder several times, an
issue which he said had impacted his serve and backhand.
But he looked to be playing pain free against Kudla, the 16-times
Grand Slam champion winning 81% of his first-serve points and
turning aside all seven break points he faced against the unseeded
American.
"I managed to play almost pain free, that's a big improvement from
my last match," said top seed Djokovic.
"Obviously I didn't know how the body would react and I am just glad
to finish the match tonight."
Kudla, who due to a rain delay earlier this week was playing his
second match in as many days, brought incredible energy into the
match and raced around the court to make a number of shots that
surprised Djokovic but was simply overmatched.
Djokovic twice pushed back his pre-match practice but came out
firing right from the start as served out to love to begin the match
and broke Kudla for a 3-1 cushion en route to wrapping up the first
set without showing any signs of distress.
The Serb broke again in the fifth game of second set and was in
total control as he served out to love in the ensuing game for a 4-2
cushion.
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia (left) and Denis Kudla of the United States
shake hands after a third round match on day five of the 2019 U.S.
Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis
Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Djokovic opened the final set with another break and added another
in the seventh game before closing out the match when he served out
to love.
The only time Djokovic looked bothered during the match came in the
first set when he screamed at someone who talked during a point
inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It marked the second incident of the day between Djokovic and a
spectator as the Serbian, apparently angry at being interrupted
while serving during his practice session, told one individual:
"Trust me, I'll come find you."
Up next for Djokovic will be former champion Stan Wawrinka, who beat
Italian Paolo Lorenzi earlier on Friday.
Djokovic owns a 19-5 career record versus Wawrinka, who is seeded
23rd, but has not faced the Swiss since losing to him in the 2016
U.S. Open final.
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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