September 03, (THEWILL) – Novak Djokovic shrugged off concerns about his form and readiness for the US Open when he put up a display to wrap up his second-round match against Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets.
Djokovic kept up his bid for a calendar Grand Slam, and addressed the queries of anyone who still had doubted his form with the very tidy 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory on the Arthur Ashe Court.
During the game, Djokovic appeared every inch the player chasing his 21st major title. The only sniff Griekspoor had to progress on Djokovic’s service was immediately snatched back with a break of Djokovic’s own in the very next service game.
However, the world number one revealed that it was below par by his extremely high personal standards, which not only suggests that there is more left in the locker, but that it was going to be a tough competition for anyone on the other side of the net.
In his post-match comments, the Serb said: “I came out on the court with the right intensity and the right focus and it was definitely a better performance from my side than a couple nights ago.”
He also addressed the antics of a heckler in the crowd who tried to throw him off his game.
“That guy, for some reason, was calling, raising the sound and kind of screaming just before I would hit my smash, which was a big point. Before that, he would do it a few times. After that, again. That wasn’t nice. That’s all.
“I don’t mind the noise. Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s important for the entertainment, for the crowds, the music. I get it. But if someone does it over and over again … he knows why he’s doing it. The guy that I pointed out, he knew exactly what he was doing, and that’s all.”
The Serb also referred to his physical conditioning, stating his readiness to go the distance if need be.
He said: “Physically I feel great. I can go a couple of hours every day, I don’t mind being on the court for a long time, actually the longer the match goes, I feel I have more chances to win against anybody in best-of-five.
“It’s really more about handling everything that is happening off the court, really all the expectations. Just trying to take it moment by moment, and really stay in the present moment and get the most out of it.”
Next is Kei Nishikori, who beat Mackenzie McDonald in a five-set classic that lasted three minutes shy of four hours. It will be a double test of endurance for Nishikori against Djokovic, to whom he has lost 17 of their 19 meetings.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
