(New York) Defending champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia reached the third round of the US Open tennis tournament on Wednesday when his opponent was forced to end the match due to injury.
Djokovic was leading 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 against his compatriot Laslo Djere when the latter withdrew.
Djere was leading 4-2 in the second set when he appeared to be bothered by a hip injury. He requested the intervention of a therapist before the end of the set.
It was a 90e victory in this tournament for Djokovic, a plateau he has now reached in every major tournament. The holder of 24 Grand Slam titles will face Alexei Popyrin on Friday.
With the mercury reaching 32 degrees Celsius, two matches ended when a player withdrew in the afternoon.
American Frances Tiafoe, seeded 20th, advanced with a 6-4, 6-1, 1-0 lead over Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan.
His next opponent will be Ben Shelton, a compatriot. Shelton defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
In the 2023 quarterfinals in New York, Shelton showed Tiafoe the exit, defeating him in four sets. Tiafoe was trying to reach the semifinals for the second straight year at this tournament.
“We’re both very energetic. Power is at the heart of his game,” Tiafoe said of Shelton. “He fires up the crowd.”
PHOTO TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Frances Tiafoe
Dutchman Tallen Griekspoor, for his part, was leading 6-1 and 2-0 when Argentinian Sebastian Baez, 21, retired.e seeded.
Jiri Lehecka snatched a 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory over Mitchell Krueger after four hours of play.
Not only was the Czech two sets behind, he lost 3-0 in the third set to the American qualifier.
“It was a battle every point in the last two sets,” said Lehecka, 38.e to the world.
Lehecka will face sixth seed Andrey Rublev, who beat Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
PHOTO EDUARDO MUNOZ, REUTERS
Alexander Zverev
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev of Germany prevailed 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-1 against Alexandre Muller of France.
Results of the 2e tour (men’s singles):
- Tallon Griekspoor (NED) beats Sebastian Baez (ARG/seeded N.21) 6-1, 2-0, retirement
- Grigor Dimitrov (BUL/N.9) beats Rinky Hijikata (AUS) 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (7/4)
- Brandon Nakashima (USA) defeats Arthur Cazaux (FRA) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
- Tomas Etcheverry (ARG) beats Francisco Cerundolo (ARG/N.29) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3
- Jirí Lehecka (CZE/N.32) beats Mitchell Krueger (USA) 6-7 (5/7), 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5
- Frances Tiafoe (USA/N.20) beats Alexander Shevchenko (KAZ) 6-4, 6-1, 1-0, retirement
- Alexander Zverev (GER/N.4) beats Alexandre Muller (FRA) 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1