Novak Djokovic secured his 83rd US Open victory following a 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 win over Bernabe Zapata Miralles in two hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Thus, Novak remains perfect in the opening two rounds in New York, and he should be a clear favorite against his compatriot Laslo Djere in the third round. Djokovic controlled the pace in his games, dropping off 18 points behind the initial shot and defending all six break chances. Zapata Miralles felt the pressure and could not deal with it following a solid display in the opener. The Spaniard lost half of the points in his games, offering the Serb 11 break points and getting broken six times to end his campaign in the second round. Djokovic fired 35 winners and 22 unforced errors, dictating the pace and entertaining the crowd with incredible shotmaking. Bernabe kicked off the action with a hold at love, creating two break chances in the next one with a forehand crosscourt winner.
Novak Djokovic secured another notable victory at the US Open.
Novak Djokovic, US Open 2023Ā© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport
Novak saved them and clinched four straight points to bring the game home and avoid an early setback. The Spaniard held after deuces in the third game, and the Serb landed a service winner in the next one for a hold at love and 2-2. Novak grabbed an incredible rally in the fifth game, securing a break and opening a 3-2 advantage. Djokovic held at love in the next one to cement the lead and missed another break opportunity at 4-2. Serving well, Novak wrapped up the set with a backhand down the line winner at 5-4, holding at love and bringing the opener home in 48 minutes. Djokovic halted Zapata Miralles’ serve in the second set, delivering three consecutive breaks and clinching it in no time.
Novak broke in the third game and confirmed it following his rival’s loose forehand in the next one. A three-time champion placed a forehand winner in the fifth game to deliver another break and forge a 4-1 lead. Novak broke Bernabe at love at 5-1 to move 6-4, 6-1 in front after an hour and 20 minutes, marching toward the finish line. Untroubled on serve since the encounter’s first game, Djokovic lost the ground a bit at the beginning of the third set. He denied four breaks points in games one and three, staying on the positive side and earning a boost. Novak drew the rival’s backhand error in the fourth game to grab a break and open a 3-1 gap. Djokovic landed a service winner in the next one to extend the gap and cracked a forehand down the line winner for another break and a 5-1 lead. Novak held at love with a forehand winner in game seven, emerging over the top and advancing into the third round for the 17th time in New York.