Novak Djokovic is trying to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Slam trophies in one year.
Initially for half an hour and a full set, then for a particularly compelling and competitive game, Novak Djokovic’s opponent in the fourth round of the US Open, Jenson Brooksby, fitted him and a raucous atmosphere under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Make.
That Djokovic, above all, and everyone else too, know that Brooksby — a 20-year-old wild-card entry from California, ranked 99th and never before on a podium like this — was relatable. And then, not surprisingly, Djokovic showed why he is that and how he managed to lead within three victories of the first calendar-year Grand Slam in men’s tennis in 52 years.
Sending a message to fans with a roar and a few stardowns to Brooksby, No. 1 Djokovic improved to a massive 25-0 this year by winning 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Monday. Night. He extended his quest for a true slam and a record-breaking 21st major championship, finishing the last American singles player in the tournament.
It was the first time in the history of an event in the 1880s that no man or woman from the host country reached the quarterfinals.
A key to a turnaround by Djokovic, as is a good returner: He broke Brooksby’s opening service game in each of the last three sets.
Perhaps influenced by the physical nature of the extended exchanges, Brooksby was visited by a trainer after the second set and again after the third. Still, for someone who didn’t set foot on Ash’s Blue Court until nearly two hours before the match when he got the chance to practice there, Brooksby was never overwhelmed by the setting or the conditions.
“A very young, very talented player,” said Djokovic.
“I told him on the net that he had a bright future ahead of him.” His 6-foot-4 strides and reach, his anticipation, his variations including a well-disguised two-handed backhand slice, his think-steps-forward point construction, were in line with patterns drawn by his coach at home in Sacramento. His commitment to since age 7, Joe Gilbert – all left Djokovic early.
“It wasn’t a good start for me. Obviously, Jensen was pumped. He had a clear game plan. He was executing all the shots efficiently. I was on my back foot,” Djokovic said , who is trying to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Slam trophies in one year and also aim to eclipse the men’s mark of 20 career majors alongside Roger Federer. and Rafael Nadal.
“He was reading the play very well.” In the first set, Brooksby made an unforced error, Djokovic 11. And Brooksby won 14 points lasting five strokes or more, Djokovic four.
When Djokovic netted an overhead net to move Brooksby two points off the set, most spectators in the 23,000-plus-capacity field – excited to be back after last year’s ban on spectators amid the pandemic – rose, Clap and scream.
When Djokovic missed to return to set his enemy, Brooksby waved both hands and heard more loud support.
“Electric. Awesome. I had a lot of fun. I really did,” said Djokovic, who would soon hear his own cheer.
“The pace has changed,” said Djokovic, 34, from Serbia. He will then face Italy’s No. 6 Matteo Berrettini in a rematch of the Wimbledon final.
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