Novak Djokovic is trying to solve
riddles at the US Open but is back in the 3rd round
[August 28, 2025]
By HOWARD FENDRICH
NEW YORK (AP) — For the second contest in a row at this U.S. Open,
Novak Djokovic appeared a bit sluggish, a bit off, for a stretch.
This time, he even dropped the opening set. And then, as always at
Flushing Meadows, the 24-time Grand Slam champion progressed to the
third round.
Djokovic improved to 36-0 across the first and second rounds in New
York, a place he's won four championships, by coming back to beat
145th-ranked American qualifier Zachary Svajda 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3,
6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday.
“I really tried to soak it in and enjoy the moment, especially when
I won the first set," said Svajda, a 22-year-old from San Diego. "It
kind of shocked me. I was like, ‘Wow!’”
Asked on court afterward how he felt in his first competition since
losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon
semifinals on July 11 while hindered by a groin injury, Djokovic
replied: “Not that great, to be honest."
Svajda noticed.
“He was missing a little bit,” said Svajda, who got cramps in his
legs and arms as the match wore on. “He was getting a little
frustrated.”
At his news conference later, the 38-year-old Djokovic spoke a
little more about his mood.
“It’s not a motivation thing. It’s just like me a bit frustrated
with my game, and then I kind of go through stuff internally that —
you don’t want to know the details what I’m going through and
telling myself,” he explained after getting to the third round at a
major for the 75th time, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the
most such appearances by a man.
“I’m just trying to be locked in. Just trying to solve the riddle
once I’m on the court,” Djokovic continued. “It’s not like I’m not
finding joy on the court competing. I enjoy competing, but I don’t
enjoy not playing well. That’s why I put extra pressure on myself
and my team to be better the next day, the next match.”
That will come against Cam Norrie, a British left-hander who reached
the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2022 and is 0-6 against Djokovic.
Norrie got past Francisco Comesana of Argentina 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-7
(0), 7-6 (4) in four hours and now it's his turn to face the task
that Svajda did Wednesday against Djokovic.
“He does everything so well, which is incredible,” Svajda said. “I
was talking to my team and coaches before, trying to figure it out.
It’s Novak Djokovic, so there's not a big weakness.”
[to top of second column] |
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, serves against Polina Kudermetova, of
Russia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis
championships, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam
Hunger)
Townsend and Ostapenko have a heated exchange
after their match
Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko got into a face-to-face
argument on the Court 11 sideline right after Townsend won their
second-round match 7-5, 6-1. Townsend, an American who is ranked No.
1 in doubles, said Ostapenko, a Latvian who won the 2017 French
Open, told her she has “no class” and “no education.”
What else happened at the U.S. Open on Wednesday?
No. 5 seed Jack Draper, a semifinalist in 2024, withdrew because of
a lingering injury to his left arm. Winners included defending
champion Aryna Sabalenka, both of last year's runners-up — Jessica
Pegula and Taylor Fritz — along with Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton,
Frances Tiafoe, 2021 champion Emma Raducanu and Emma Navarro. No. 12
Casper Ruud, whose 0-3 record in Grand Slam finals includes a loss
to Alcaraz at Flushing Meadows in 2022, was eliminated 6-4, 3-6,
3-6, 6-4, 7-5 by Raphael Collignon of Belgium. The 107th-ranked
Collignon had never won a match at a major or played a five-setter
until this tournament.
Who is scheduled to play Thursday at Flushing Meadows?
Past U.S. Open champions Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are in
Ashe, as is No. 14 seed Tommy Paul, while Venus Williams will play
in the first round of women's doubles.
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