Novak Djokovic is an incredibly lucky guy right now.

The world no.1 has been struggling with a wrist injury, and he was desperate for some rest. After winning a wobbling first round against Janowicz, there were huge question marks about Djokovic’s wrist conditions. Eventually, the world on.1 was so lucky that he had a free pass in the second round after Vesely retired, and in the third after Youzhny called it a day after he was 2-4 down.

Due to injury, Youzhny has retired from his match against Djokovic. The world No.1 advances to the R16.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/EMOzPWeqpa

— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) September 2, 2016

It’s good for me. DJOKOVIC

After Youzhny’s retirement, Nole admitted that these free passes have been rather good for him

“This particular situation I’ve never had in my Grand Slam career. But considering the stage of the season, the amount of matches I’ve played, what I’ve been through with my body, I think it’s actually good to have some days off and then shorter matches from one side.

From the other side, sure, as you are approaching second week of the Grand Slam you want to have match play and you want to have time spent on the centre court before you face one of the top players. But I’m not too concerned about my game itself.

I’ve worked hard the last couple days. Health-wise I feel much better than I did at the beginning of the tournament. You know, I’m confident that everything is going in the right direction.”

Next vs. Edmund

Nole will play Kyle Edmund in the 4^th round. The Brit stunned Gasquet in the opener before upsetting Isner in the 3^rd round. The head to head is 1-0 for Nole that has defeated Edmund 6-3 6-3 this year in Miami.

THE DRAW