Novak Djokovic was not interested in discussing in any detail why he needed a trainer to work on his right elbow during an otherwise matter-of-fact 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Kyle Edmund on Sunday night that put the defending champion in the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the 10th consecutive year.
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The world No 1, who was bothered by a left wrist injury that may have been a factor in his third-round exit from Wimbledon and first-round loss at the Rio Olympics, had his right arm and elbow area treated during a medical timeout at 2-1 in the third set against Edmund, but Djokovic downplayed it. “And to win three best-of-five sets, I’ve never done that in my career”.
“You don’t want to go out of a tournament”.
Tenth seed Gael Monfils motored into the US Open quarter-finals with a straight-sets dismissal of Marcos Baghdatis, winning 6-3 6-2 6-3. “He didn’t play at the level that he can but his forehand is really big”, Djokovic said.
“Also the challenge of playing world No. 1, you know it’s going to be tough when you go out there”.
Edmund will now reset his sights on this month’s Davis Cup semi-final against Argentina, where captain Leon Smith has a hard selection to make for the second singles slot, after Dan Evans also enjoyed a US Open to remember.
Djokovic had met the Yorkshireman in Miami earlier this year and he also felt his opponent had struggled to do his talent justice.
“I think he was overwhelmed by the stage today”. He beat Gasquet and Isner.
The British number three ripped a forehand victor to move to another break point, but the Serb did not allow him to capitalize. He’s getting things together.
Djokovic erased any doubts about his rhythm after he enjoyed the best part of a week off following walkovers in rounds two and three.
Djokovic had played just six games since he won his first round match in four sets last Monday so was feeling very fresh, but potentially undercooked in terms of match play. I’ve got to get better at my movement.
Djokovic, on the other hand, had been a bit lucky as he had played just two complete matches at Flushing Meadows this year going into his fourth match of the tournament.
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The Serb kept himself busy on the practice courts but was happy to cut loose against an actual opponent, making 21-year-old Edmund the target of his arsenal of rifled groundstrokes, angled volleys, pinpoint passing shots, lobs and drop shots.
