Djokovic scrapes by against Troicki
Serbian Novak Djokovic scraped past his fellow countryman Viktor Troicki to go through to the second round of the US Open on Tuesday.
Djokovic, fourth seed in the tournament, needed a deciding set to settle the encounter as Troicki went 2–1 up after three sets.
Like Monday's encounter between Robin Soderling and Andreas Haider-Maurer, the match lasted for nearly four hours on a sweltering New York day.
"Somebody in the stands over there kept saying, 'Hold on, hang in there,' so that's exactly what I did," Djokovic said after the match. "I have to give credit to Victor. He played really well, served really well. A couple of points turned the match."
Troicki claims two sets
Djokovic looked his usual, world number three self during the first set, which he claimed comfortably 6–3.
But in the second set, the Serb cut a far less convincing figure than when he finished runner-up at the US Open in 2007.
Troicki, 24, pressed the Djokovic to win the two following sets 6–3 and 6–2.
The 23-year-old could barely muster the energy to chase Troicki's shots in the pressing heat, and his signs of weakness only encouraged Troicki to play better.
Troicki claimed a total of 23 aces in the game, compared to the four aces completed by Djokovic.
At the end of the third set, a frustrated and tired Djokovic returned to the sideline and smashed his racket against the bag.
The Serb had come to New York to try and claim his first Grand Slam title since the 2008 Australian Open, not to exit in the first round.
As the fourth set began, things were not looking much brighter. Troicki broke Djokovic's serve and won the first two games of the set, which looked like it could be the last of the match.
Fourth set turns the match
But at 3–1, Djokovic found the inspiration he had needed and claimed three straight games to lead Troicki 4–3.
Troicki managed to tie the set at 5–5, but Djokovic's offensive forehands put his opponent on the back foot and earned him the set.
Things had not turned completely for the 2008 and 2009 US Open semi-finalist, as he lost his serve at the beginning of the fifth set.
But Djokovic steadied his nerves to go up 5–2 in games, and at that point Troicki's energy had been drained.
After three hours and 40 minutes, Djokovic won his match point, progressing to the second round with a much greater effort than he could have anticipated.
Tags: