Novak Djokovic is aware he will need to step up to counter the threat rising Australian star Alexei Popyrin poses to his defense having advanced to the third round of the US Open despite a serving display he called awful.
In his match against fellow countryman Laslo Djere, who took him to five sets on the same stage last year, the 24-time major champion looked unwell halfway through the second set. However, the underdog was forced to exit the match due to an abdominal injury.
Djere withdrew due to injury while Djokovic was leading 6-4 6-4 2-0. Djokovic hit eight double faults in just over two sets and landed only 47% of his first serves in his second consecutive below-par serving performance.
Djokovic expressed his remarks about facing Popyrin and said: “Yeah, I’m happy to win four-set another time. Don’t get me wrong. But, you know, he keeps on getting closer and closer, knocking on that door. He’s a really good player. He has improved a lot. He’s won his first Masters in Canada. We always knew he had a big serve and forehand, but I think his backhand and his movement improved a lot. So he’s much better defending, and he’s more consistent. He doesn’t make as many errors as he used to. Just overall great improvement from his side. He’s pumped. He’s confident, and he shows that.”
He added: “He’s been playing some great tennis, so no reason for him not to believe that he can put up a great performance, and he’s going to go for the win. I know that. But I know what to expect as well. We played, as you said, a couple of times. I’m going to, of course, do my homework, analyze those matches, and see what needs to be done.”
Djokovic at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2024
At the moment ranked no.2, Novak has managed to achieve a 31-7 win-loss record in 2024. The Serbian is now playing at the U.S. Open where he conquered the world no.138 Radu Albot 6-2 6-2 6-4
and the world no.109 Laslo Djere 6-4 6-4 2-0 ret..Novak Djokovic will come up against the world no.28 Alexei Popyrin in the 3rd round. Their actual record is 3-0 for Djokovic.
The Serbian clinched 1 title in 2024 in Paris. The Serbian was the finalist in Wimbledon.
Novak won 99 titles in his career: 52 on hard courts, 20 on clay courts, 19 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters) after Shanghai. The main draw will start on the 30th of September.
Popyrin at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Currently ranked no.28, the Australian has a compiled 24-16 win-loss record in 2024. Alexei is playing at the moment at the U.S. Open where he overcame the world no.340 Soon-Woo Kwon 7-5 6-2 6-3 and the world no.43 Pedro Martinez Portero 6-2 6-4 6-0.
Alexei Popyrin will take on the world no.2 Novak Djokovic in the 3rd round. The head to head is 3-0 for Djokovic.
Alexei conquered 1 title in 2024 in Montreal.
He is also scheduled to play in Tokyo (Japan Open Tennis Championships). The main draw will start on the 25th of September.
Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin squared off 3 times. Their actual record is 3-0 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time they fought against each other, Novak Djokovic won 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) in the 3rd round in London (Wimbledon) on the 6th of July 2024.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin |
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