Djokovic recovers from break deficit in third set to avoid exiting US Open at first round for first time in career
Wednesday 29 August 2018 09:14, UK
Novak Djokovic overcame extreme humidity, illness and a stern examination from Marton Fucsovics to progress to the US Open second round.
The two-time champion recovered from a break down in the third set amid a stomach complaint to defeat the world No 41 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-0 in two hours and 58 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Djokovic needed all his battling qualities and experience to avoid exiting at the first round stage in New York for the first time in his career in conditions which reached 38 degrees Celsius.
"We obviously both struggled. It was survival mode. Credit to Marton, he's a great fighter," Djokovic said.
"I was actually praying that the next moment I get to feel better. I definitely wasn't feeling great for most of the three sets. But you have these kind of days. I'm not the only one, a lot of the players struggled. I'll take the win."
The former world No 1, who became the first man in history to win all nine ATP Masters Series events with victory at the Cincinnati Masters, started in encouraging fashion as he broke Fucsovics at the first opportunity on his way to securing the first set.
As the humidity took its toll, Djokovic showed signs of discomfort - asking for a bin in case he was sick courtside - and was given a tablet by the doctor but he was unable to recover a break deficit as an increasingly encouraged Fucsovics levelled up the match.
Fucsovics, a former junior world No 1, increased his momentum by breaking Djokovic early in the third set as the Hungarian mixed consistent hard-hitting tennis with strong defence.
But Djokovic gained renewed energy and recovered the break as Fucsovics struggled in the heat before a second consecutive break, secured with remarkable defensive skills, saw him win the third set from 4-2 down.
With the USTA extreme heat policy in place - for the first time at Flushing Meadows for men - both players headed off court for 10 minutes and on the return Djokovic increased his advantage with a break in the second game of the fourth set.
Djokovic maintained the pressure on his opponent breaking twice more as he won 10 games in a row to secure victory against a deflated Fucsovics and book a second round encounter against American Tennys Sandgren.
Alexander Zverev impressed as he defeated Canadian lucky loser Peter Polansky in straight-sets as he goes in search of his maiden Grand Slam title.
The world No 4 hit 37 winners and avoided facing a single break point as he eased to a 6-2 6-1 6-2 victory, with Ivan Lendl, newly announced as part of the German's coaching set-up, watching on.
Marin Cilic overcame a sluggish start against Marius Copil to progress to the second round as his Romanian opponent retired hurt in the third set.
The 2014 champion recovered from 5-1 down in the first set, winning 10 games on the bounce as he opened up a two sets lead before Copil quit with a left-arm strain, according to a USTA official.
"I was just missing some easy balls, making some unforced errors that are not that usual for me," Cilic said, referring to his performance early in the match.
"Conditions definitely were extremely tough and very humid, very hot."
We have every major tennis event covered from all angles via our website skysports.com/tennis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.
Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Laver Cup in September while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports. But first, we will be across the final major of the year in New York as the US Open right through to the final with live blogs, reports, features and reaction.
