Novak Djokovic overcame another sluggish start to move into the third round of the US Open, defeating American qualifier Zachary Svajda 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner, who dropped the opening set, extended his flawless record in New York’s first two rounds to 36-0. He has lifted the trophy here four times.

Svajda, 22, stunned the crowd by taking the first set but later struggled with cramps as Djokovic found his rhythm. “He was missing a little bit … he was getting a little frustrated,” the American said afterward.

Djokovic, 38, admitted he is still searching for form following a groin injury that hampered him at Wimbledon. “It’s not about motivation … I just get frustrated with my game and try to solve the riddle on court,” he said, adding that reaching the third round at a major for the 75th time gave him a new record ahead of Roger Federer.

Next up for Djokovic is Britain’s Cam Norrie, a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2022 who trails 0-6 in their head-to-head. Norrie advanced by beating Francisco Comesana of Argentina 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-7 (0), 7-6 (4).

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Elsewhere, Taylor Townsend defeated Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 before a heated post-match exchange. Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, accused Townsend of having “no class” and “no education.”

In other results, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Taylor Fritz, Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, Emma Raducanu and Emma Navarro all advanced, while No. 12 seed Casper Ruud was upset by Belgium’s Raphael Collignon in five sets.

Thursday’s schedule features past US Open champions Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff on Ashe, alongside No. 14 seed Tommy Paul. Venus Williams will also begin her women’s doubles campaign.

Source: Agency