Agencies
NEW YORK, AUGUST 31
WORLD No. 1 Novak Djokovic is through to the fourth round at the US Open for the eighth year in a row after dismissing Sam Querrey 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Saturday in New York. Djokovic recorded his eighth win in nine meetings with Querrey as he won 66 per cent of his service points and converted seven of his 12 break points, prevailing in 85 minutes. The Serb has a 48-8 record at Flushing Meadows, lifting the trophy in 2011 (d. Nadal). He also finished runner-up in 2007 (l. to Federer), 2010 (l. to Nadal), 2012 (l. to Murray) and last year (l. to Nadal).
“Over the years I played some of my best tennis on these courts,” said Djokovic. “Four finals and one title is quite an impressive record. I feel very comfortable playing on Arthur Ashe stadium. The New York fans give me a lot of energy. It’s a pleasure to perform, to play in front of them.” The 27-year-old Djokovic has enjoyed a welcome return to form this week, advancing to the fourth round without dropping a set. Coming into the US Open, Djokovic had suffered back-to-back third-round exits in Toronto (l. to Tsonga) and Cincinnati (l. to Robredo).
“[My game is] peaking at the right time, at the right tournament,” said Djokovic. “This is where I want to play my best tennis. I haven’t done as well as I wanted in lead-up tournaments, Toronto and Cincinnati. I didn’t know how emotionally drained I was in a way until I played Tsonga in Canada.”
