Djokovic bugged by shoulder in U.S. Open win

 

 

NEW YORK, USA – Defending US Open champion Novak Djokovic shrugged off a nagging shoulder concern Wednesday, August 28 (Thursday, August 29, Philippine time) to overcome a spirited Juan Ignacio Londero in straight sets in the second round of the US Open.

The world No. 1 received medical treatment to his left shoulder throughout the match on his way to a 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 win. 

“It was not easy to play with this kind of sensation, to be honest. I did not experience that too many times in my career,” Djokovic said.

“I had obviously, you saw, a medical timeout. At changeovers, I tried to use within the rules as much as I can physiotherapy and medical help. That has definitely helped me stay in the match.

“The way it has started for me, especially midway through the 1st set, I didn’t know if I would be able to finish the match.”

Djokovic, who is attempting to become the first back-to-back men’s champion here since Roger Federer won from 2004-2008, said the problem affected both his serve and backhand. He also revealed it was an issue he has been dealing with for “quite a while.”

“It is new in a sense that I’ve never had that particular issue in my career. It’s not new in a sense that it has bothered me now for almost a couple weeks,” he said.

“I’ve been experiencing some days of higher intensity of pain, some days less. It has been really fluctuating a lot, going up and down. What happened today on the court, actually how I felt, was quite rough and unpredictable.”

Crucial day off

Top seed Djokovic will play the winner between 27th seed Dusan Lajovic and American Denis Kudla in the third round on Friday and suggested he would “freeze” his arm for the next 48 hours in the hopes of recovering.

“Good thing about Grand Slams is you have a day off in between the matches. As I said, I’m hoping that with a proper medical help and treatments, I’ll be able to get myself in a better state than I was today in few days,” Djokovic said.

“I’m going to assess this injury tomorrow even more with further consultations with experts in sports medicine. I’m hoping that in two days’ time I will be able to play pain-free, if that is possible.”

The Serbian star broke on an errant Londero forehand to close the 1st set, then was broken twice in falling behind 3-0 in the 2nd set only to win the next 5 games.

“Somehow I managed to find my way back,” Djokovic said.

Londero broke him, held at love and forced a tiebreaker, but Djokovic won 5 of the last 6 points thanks to Londero errors and then dominated the final set.

“I want to congratulate Londero for showing a fighting spirit,” Djokovic said. “It was a real fight.”

French Open champ Barty advances

Reigning French Open champion Ashleigh Barty progressed to round 3 of the US Open with a 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) victory over 73rd-ranked American Lauren Davis.

Australian 2nd seed Barty clinched a WTA Tour-leading 44th win of the season to book a date with either Greek 30th seed Maria Sakkari or China’s Peng Shuai, whose match was one of 22 singles ties postponed by rain.

“I knew I was doing the right things,” Barty said. “It was just about execution. I’m glad I came through in the tiebreaker.” – Rappler.com