Djokovic's Epic Comeback: Overcoming Two-Set Deficit at US Open, Sends a Message to Competitors

Everyone experiences things before they should, and Novak Djokovic is never an exception. No matter how difficult a requirement he has to meet. regardless of how terrible he may be doing.

So it made sense that Djokovic would overcome a two-set deficit to defeat Laslo Djere in the third round of the US Open by scores of 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3, averting what would have been the tournament's first elimination since 2006.

"The unmistakable message is conveyed to the rest of the field that I am still able to play five sets, far into midnight. Coming from two sets down unhappy forever sends a strong message to next opponents, said Djokovic. He will now play Croatia's Borna Gojo, a 25-year-old who is making his US Open debut.

"But I'm not literally lacking expected in this place position, expected truthful," Djokovic said. "I like a victory in straight sets. I can return at that time in the following couple, hopefully.

This one began beneath the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday at midnight and didn't end until three and a half hours later, at one in the morning.

It was Djokovic's seventh course victory after dropping the first two sets of a rival. He also updated to 38-11 in five sets.

Once he had control, he held on tightly and never let Djere regain it. Djokovic was calm as maybe in the response to a having five of anything set, gathering 12 of the first 14 points to leave without a doubt how this would go.

He has won three of the current men's record 23 victories at Flushing Meadows and has finished in second place six times, including in 2021. The 36-year-old Serbian player was unable to compete in the US Open the previous year because he was an alien who was not inoculated against the COVID-19 virus; however, the restriction was lifted in May.

Djokovic is ranked No. 2 in New York behind Carlos Alcaraz, and most people have been waiting for the bureaucracy-pregnant two to meet on September 10 for the match. That seems to have been prevented by Djere, a 28-period traditional who is once again from Serbia and was planted in the 32nd position.

Trust me, Djokovic said, "as far as the final performance, it was completely nerve-racking."

The biggest accomplishment of Djere's course would have undoubtedly been this: he was unable to advance to the first of four equal rounds at a win tournament for the first time and entered Friday with a 0-6 record at major league versus competitors ranked in the top 10.

Perhaps the bullying factor that favors Djokovic's personal equal-boosts proved ineffective. They have been practicing together, presenting opportunities as Davis Cup partners, and testing traveling as a doubles making for years. When it was over, they embraced at a large computer network, and Djokovic yelled as Djere sprinted off the court.

Djokovic headed to the locker range in the midst of the two point sets to switch up his welcoming attire, as he regularly does when behind. And as he so often does, Djokovic came across as a different performance.

"I gave a spoof inspiring speech in the mirror. I kind of made fun of myself because I was so... agitated," Djokovic said. "I compelled myself to boost morale."