Novak Djokovic will play in the US Open quarter-final 18 years after achieving that for the first time! Novak faced a qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff in the fourth round and earned a 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory in an hour and 49 minutes.
The Serb had back issues and received a medical timeout after the opening set. However, it did not bother him much, as he sailed over the top and booked a place in the last eight at 38!
The four-time champion fired 12 aces and outplayed his rival behind the first and second serve while playing flawless tennis at the net. Novak lost serve once and turned 47% of the return points into six breaks from eight opportunities.
Ice cold return from Novak 😰
Seen that before. pic.twitter.com/Aw9FEamg4I
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2025
Djokovic landed 33 winners and 20 unforced errors and claimed 28 points more than Struff in a rock-solid victory. His next rival? The home hero and last year's finalist, Taylor Fritz.
The veteran made a flying start and stole the rival's serve two times in a row for a 4-0 lead. Jan-Lennard pulled one break back in game five from his only break opportunity of the match.
Novak served well in games seven and nine, landing a service winner at 5-3 and securing the opener in 42 minutes. The 24-time Major winner barely lost a point on serve in the second set, and his rival could not match that pace.
Novak Djokovic, US Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Struff stayed in touch early on before dropping serve at 4-3. Djokovic held for 5-3 and secured another break in game nine after the rival's double fault, forging two sets to love advantage after an hour and 15 minutes.
Novak's serve stood strong in the third set as well. He clinched an early break in the second game and drew the rival's mistake at 5-2 for another break and a place in the quarter-final.
