Novak Djokovic into third round after Laslo Djere retires with abdominal injury Not what we want

Defending champion Novak Djokovic moved into the third round of the US Open after Laslo Djere was forced to retire with an abdominal injury. Djokovic was two sets and a break to the good but it had been a tight battle for more than two hours in gruelling conditions on Arthur Ashe. Up next for the 37-year-old is a clash with Australian 28th seed Alexei Popyrin.
Novak Djokovic admitted nobody wants to see a player retire injured after he received a walkover into the third round when his compatriot Laslo Djere pulled out at the start of the third set because of an abdominal issue.

Djokovic led 6-4 6-4 2-0, but it had been a gruelling battle to that point as Djere pushed the defending champion to dig deep.
However, 29-year-old Djere started to struggle with his lower abdomen at the end of the second set before deciding he could not continue after dropping serve at the start of the third.

“It’s not what we want. It’s not what the crowd wants, to see a walkover,” Djokovic said afterwards.
“He’s such a good player, especially in these conditions.”

The heat and humidity was sweltering in New York on day three. Djokovic struggled with his serve, which allowed Djere to get a foothold in the match.
The two Serbians met at Flushing Meadows last year, Djokovic fighting back from two sets down to prevail.
And their 2024 battle had the hallmarks of another lengthy duel. Both players saved break points in the first set before Djokovic made the breakthrough at 5-4 to take the opener after an hour on court.

He was forced to save more break points in the first game of the second but Djere was eventually rewarded for his relentless pressure, taking a 4-2 lead in the set as he sought to level the contest.

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But he would not win another game as Djokovic pounced on his physical problems.
“It should have been his second set, honestly,” Djokovic added. “He was up 4-2. It was a big fight, over two hours for two sets.

“I served awful. Without a serve, you have to grind, you have to run. I had to rely on my baseline game.
“Of course, I have to be happy with a win and in the important moments that I played one more ball over than the net than him.
“The matches are only going to get tougher from here. But I’ll be fine. I’ll find my way as I have many times in my career.”

Up next for the 37-year-old is a clash with Australian 28th seed Alexei Popyrin before a potential meeting with either Ben Shelton or Frances Tiafoe in round four.
Djokovic is seeking his first Grand Slam of the year after capturing Olympic gold earlier this month and is relishing still being able to compete at the highest level as he approaches 40.
“It’s a great privilege to be able to play again at my age,” continued Djokovic, “to keep pushing the bar for the younger guys and see how far I can go.”