US Open 2018: Novak Djokovic beats Joao Sousa to reach quarter-finals
Last updated on .From the section Tennis
| 2018 US Open |
|---|
| Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 27 August-9 September Coverage: Live radio coverage on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra; live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website |
Novak Djokovic beat Joao Sousa 6-3 6-4 6-3 to reach the US Open quarter-finals, where he will meet Roger Federer's conqueror John Millman.
Two-time champion Djokovic broke twice in the first set but had to recover from a break down in the second.
The Serb, 31, struggled physically in the third set and went off court for a medical timeout when he led 2-1.
But he got the crucial break to take a 5-3 lead before serving out the match to secure his place in the last eight.
The Wimbledon champion has never lost a set against the Portuguese world number 68, who had reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Djokovic has reached the semi-finals of the US Open in every year he has competed since 2006.
He will face world number 55 John Millman after the Australian shocked 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer.
The Swiss lost to a player ranked outside of the top 50 for the first time at the US Open as Millman, 29, triumphed 3-6 7-5 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-3).
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'Sometimes you just have to survive'
Despite winning in straight sets, it was not a comfortable afternoon for Djokovic.
He appeared to struggle with the humidity at the end of the second set and asked for towels of ice to be placed around his neck and on top of his head during the changeovers.
The Serb had similar issues in his first-round match with Marton Fucsovics - he was unsteady on his feet and asked for a sick bucket to be put next to his chair.
Djokovic was breathing heavily in the third set and signalled to the medical team before receiving treatment off court.
"I prefer not to talk about how difficult it was," said Djokovic. "We are blessed to play this sport and this is one of the biggest stages.
"I'm not 21 any more. I still don't feel old but at the same time there is a biological clock that doesn't work in your favour like it does when you're 20.
"You have a team to get you ready, but sometimes you just have to survive."
Nishikori and Cilic meet again
Meanwhile, 2014 finalist Kei Nishikori reached the last eight after beating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 6-2 7-5.
The world number 19 will face Croatian seventh seed Marin Cilic after he recovered from a break down in the first set to beat David Goffin 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 6-4.
It will be a re-match of their final from four years ago, which Cilic won 6-3 6-3 6-3 to become the first Croat to win one of the four tennis majors since his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, at Wimbledon in 2001.
Cilic later said Goffin had told him he had been struggling with a shoulder issue.
"After the first set it felt like he slowed down his first serve and at the end he told he's got some problems with his shoulder so it was a little but unfortunate for him and he was not playing the best the last two sets but I kept my rhythm and played well," Cilic said.
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Anyway there’s not one player under the age of 25 amongst the 8 quarter finalists. Who says sport is a young mans game? I wonder how long it will be before we get a teenager winning a men’s GS title again?
“these two will never be the fans or professionals favourite players.”
Hark at the audacity of this self opinionated troll who proclaims (!!) to speak not only on behalf of “the fans” but also “professionals”.
You are seriously wrong and seriously in need of being taken down a peg or two.
And I have not a shred of doubt in my mind that you voted out in the 2016 ref.
Conditions were tough but the conditions are a level playing field, survival of the fittest and all that.
May be we'd see lower ranked players who are 'immune' to harsh conditions, prevailing more if the above was enforced.
Now where's my towel i feel a bead of perspiration....
The tournament's looking interesting!
How many of the comments here are from people who actually saw the match? Do they know the score? - it was NOT an even match.
Sad about Federer, but he hasn't looked sharp this year and the heat and conditions got to him, unsurprisingly.
Makes Djokovic's match strategy and performance even more understandable and praiseworthy.