Djokovic: 90 wins at the US Open | ATP Tour

US Open

Novak Djokovic: 90 wins at the US Open

His next rival will be Alexei Popyrin

August 29, 2024

Novak Djokovic has become the first player with at least 90 wins in each of the four Grand Slams. The Serbian only needed to break that barrier at the US Open, but he did it on Wednesday by sealing his qualification for the third round after winning 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 and his rival and compatriot Laslo Djere having to retire.

The No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings had already surpassed 90 wins at other majors before this year. He currently has 94 at the Australian Open, 96 at Roland Garros and 97 at Wimbledon. His total at the US Open has now joined that list.

Interestingly, ‘Nole’ is the second player with the most victories in each of these tournaments, including the US Open. He is surpassed respectively by Roger Federer (102) in Melbourne, Rafael Nadal (112) in Paris, Federer (105) in London and Jimmy Connors (98) in New York.

Djokovic started the week as the player with the third most matches won at the American major, but equalled Federer’s 89 by beating Radu Albot in the first round. Now he has surpassed him by beating a Djere who usually makes things difficult for him, as he did a year ago at this event when he had a 2-0 lead in sets before being overturned.

The reigning champion also had a tough time winning on Wednesday. Not only because of some physical problems that required medical attention and because it was difficult for him to break for the first time (his first break gave him the opening set). In addition, Djere had a 3-1 and 4-2 lead in the second set. An injury to the latter ended the match after two hours and 16 minutes.

“Overall, it was a great fight. More than two hours for two sets. I served terribly. So, playing off serve, you have to push yourself, you have to run. I guess I had to rely on my baseline game,” explained ‘Nole’.

With this result, ‘Nole’ reaches nine consecutive victories at the US Open, and increases his perfect record in the second rounds of this event (18-0). His next opponent will be Australian Alexei Popyrin, who is coming off a 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 win over Pedro Martínez. The Serbian leads his Lexus ATP HeadToHead with Popyrin 3-0.