By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Photo credit: AFP via Getty
Four-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic still has some questions to answer, but for now, he passed a second round test to get himself into the third round in New York.
By doing so, he tied a record with another all-time great – Roger Federer.
The No. 7 seed Djokovic got through American qualifier Zachary Svajda 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the third round in New York. With that win, he now ties Federer for 191 career major hard court victories.
Despite not playing his best at times, Djokovic managed to get through the match in four sets. He was helped, in some part, by Svajda dealing with physical issues of his own midway through the match.
“I wasn’t really happy with my tennis in the first part of the match,” Djokovic said afterwards. “That’s also a credit to Zach for playing some really high quality tennis. It’s unfortunate that he obviously struggled with an injury toward the end of the second. Kudos to him staying on the court.”
The concerns if Djokovic, who chose not to play any lead-up events prior to New York, is 100% healthy are still up in the air despite the win today.
The 22-year-old Svajda, now ranked World No. 145, has enjoyed success this summer on the Challenger circuit. He proved he was ready for the challenge facing Djokovic on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the start of the match.
Svajda hung tough with Djokovic in their rallies in the first set. Eventually, Svajda took the first set tiebreak as he pounced with a backhand winner on set point.
However, Djokovic’s experience proved too much as the 24-time major winner raised his level in the second set. By the time the third set rolled around, Svajda dealt with cramping issues hindering his play.
Djokovic took advantage and eventually raced through the third and fourth sets to wrap up the win in just over two and half hours.
Djokovic, after his first round win against American Leaner Tien, admitted afterwards he wasn’t feeling his best in that match either.
“It’s slightly a concern,” Djokovic said. “I don’t have any injury or anything. I just struggled a lot to stay in long exchanges and recover after points.”
Next up for Djokovic is either Cameron Norrie or Francisco Comesana.
