NEW YORK: In a thrilling display of tennis prowess, Novak Djokovic smoothly cruised into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday, his sights firmly set on claiming his 24th Grand Slam victory.
The action-packed day also saw Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff continuing their remarkable journeys toward a potential quarter-final showdown at the New York tournament.
Djokovic, a three-time US Open champion, exhibited his unwavering hunger for victory at 36 years of age. The Serbian star faced off against Bernabe Zapata Miralles, ranked 76th and unleashed an impressive performance that saw him dominate the match, securing a convincing 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 triumph on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium court. Reflecting on his achievement, Djokovic expressed his satisfaction with his performance, noting that he continues to strive for improvement as he progresses in the tournament.
Up next for Djokovic is a clash with fellow Serbian Laslo Djere, the 32nd seed. Djokovic’s remarkable consistency in reaching at least the last 32 in New York remains unbroken, a testament to his enduring excellence on the court. Djokovic’s return to the US Open stage is especially significant after his absence in the previous year due to his decision not to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
On the women’s side, defending champion and world number one Iga Swiatek showcased her prowess as she swiftly dispatched Australia’s Daria Saville with a score of 6-3, 6-4. Swiatek, who has her sights set on a rare achievement—successfully defending her US Open crown—expressed her satisfaction with her aggressive and intense playing style. The Polish sensation is poised to face Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan in the next round as she aims to capture her fifth Grand Slam title.
Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old sensation, continued to shine on the hard courts of the US Open. With remarkable finesse, she overcame 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva, the youngest player in the draw, with a commanding score of 6-3, 6-2. Gauff’s impressive performance is a continuation of her successful summer run, which included titles in Washington and Cincinnati. As the sixth seed and a favourite in the tournament, Gauff is set to battle Belgium’s Elise Mertens for a spot in the last 16, building on her victory over Andreeva in the Roland Garros earlier this year.
In a historic moment for Chinese tennis, Zhang Zhizhen emerged victorious as the first Chinese male player to defeat a top-five player. He secured an electrifying five-set win against last year’s runner-up, Casper Ruud. Zhang’s remarkable victory positions him to face Australian wild card Rinky Hijikata in the next round as he strives to make further history as a Chinese male player in a Grand Slam.
