Novak Djokovic overcame Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3 on Friday night to reach the fourth round of the US Open, becoming the oldest man to do so since Jimmy Connors in 1991 at age 38. The Serb also tied Roger Federer's record of 69 grand slam fourth-round appearances.
Djokovic started strongly, breaking early to lead 5-3, but then struggled with his movement and lower back pain, requiring an off-court medical timeout. He closed out the set but lost the second in a tie-break. Norrie played aggressive tennis and levelled the match, but Djokovic's serving improved in the final two sets, hitting 18 aces overall.
“In terms of how I’m feeling, it really goes up and down, to be honest,” Djokovic said. “It’s frustrating for me … that I’m not able to feel 100% always like I have for 20-plus years. But I guess the circumstances are quite different and I have to get used to the fact that every match there’s something that might happen.”
Norrie, playing his first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium, queried the umpire about Djokovic's time between points but said it did not affect the match. The Briton, who has enjoyed a strong summer, said: “I can take a lot of confidence from playing these top guys and seeing what they bring point in and point out.”
