US Open Highlights – Novak Djokovic, who has reached the World No.1 ranking is continued his dominance in the second round at the US Open 2023. The second seed breezed past Spain’s Bernabe Zapata Miralles with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 win on Wednesday, 30th August. The 36-year old will next face Laslo Djere in the third round.
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“It has been a tough match especially in the first set with the conditions,” said Djokovic after the match. He added that he was able to find his rhythm once the searing sun gave way to a late afternoon shadow across the court.
“I didn’t start off the match very well but the second and third set have been at least a couple of levels higher.” A handful of unforced errors were all that separated Djokovic and his unseeded opponent in the first set. As the three-time champion overcame early inaccuracy on his first serve and converted a break point chance in the fourth game.
The Spaniard lost his resolve in the second set. He botched an overhead smash in the second game, and Djokovic broke in the third and fifth games. Zapata Miralles helped the 36-year-old break again in the seventh game with a double fault and a clumsy error.
Djokovic saved four break points early in the final set. But if he were rattled he scarcely showed it. He won the final five games before closing out the match with a forehand winner.
The Serb will next meet Laslo Djere in the third round. He beat his next opponent Djere in their only prior meeting at Belgrade last year.