“I did a pep talk in the mirror. It worked,” said Djokovic after the comeback. “I laughed at myself because I was so agitated and annoyed with the game. I had to force myself to lift my spirits.”
Is he going to need any more motivation when he plays world no. 109 on Wednesday night?
It’s 2023 in all-Serb rematch
Cast your mind back to last September, when Novak Djokovic was lifting up an unprecedented 24th Grand Slam men’s singles title. But it could have been oh so different.
In the 2023 US Open third round, the all-conquering Serbian headed into Arthur Ashe Stadium to take on his countryman Laslo Djere–who brought a scintillating level of tennis to the party.
Djere blazed two sets up before Djokovic’s champion instincts clicked in for a 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 victory.
As far as the stars and stripes are concerned, there are some exciting matchups to watch across the grounds.
Superb singles and doubles In her career, Taylor Townsend has seen a significant purple patch. The local favorite must keep up that momentum against the revived former world No. 2 Paula Badosa.
Team USA in full force
The favorites at Arthur Ashe Stadium are home favorites Madison Keys vs. Maya Joint, Frances Tiafoe vs. Alexander Shevchenko, and Coco Gauff vs. Tatjana Maria. On paper, these three exceptional talents should be able to secure tickets for the third round.
Another incredible talent who is returning to form is Matteo Berrettini, whose sledgehammer shots will attempt to blast past Taylor Fritz, the top-ranked player in America. Nonetheless, a 3-0 record against 2019 semifinalist Berrettini should give the world No. 12 some solace.
Another match to watch in the USA pits Brandon Nakashima against the vivacious Arthur Cazaux of France. Nakashima defeated Fritz at the Cincinnati Masters a few days ago, then on Monday he lost just seven games to No. 15 seed Holger Rune.
Doubles are introduced into the formula.
Quartets should now begin playing in the following order: Doubles competitions begin play on Day 3.
Champions of Roland Garros Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic will face off against French youngsters Arthur Fils and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Court 4, while Court 9 will host a match featuring another intriguing prospect in mixed doubles. There, Su-wei Hsieh and Jan Zielinski are collaborating: the No. 7 seeds are defeating Americans Rajeev Ram and Katie Volynets across the net.
Is Sabalenka going to pass the second test?
World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, a strong favorite to win the title, will wrap up the day’s events at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
In the first round, the Australian Open champion defeated Priscilla Hon 6-3, 6-3. Now, 76th-ranked Italian Lucia Bronzetti looks to pull off the massive upset. When they last faced off in January in Brisbane, Sabalenka easily won 6-3, 6-0.
The grandstand appears magnificent.
The Grandstand’s play order is visually striking.
The first round has Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova taking on Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse, followed by recent Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen facing 20-year-old Erika Andreeva in an exciting match. Zheng Qinwen had just emerged victorious from an opening three-set battle with Amanda Anisimova.
Ben Shelton will square up against the much more seasoned Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round, and the fourth and final round could be electrifying. As day gives way to night, 2022 contender Casper Ruud is ready to square up with the one and only Gael Monfils in the ring.
Be prepared for the unexpected: Monfils is enjoying the freedom of his final stages of his career, thanks to his magical hot shots.
US Open