Djokovic had played just 31 minutes since the opening day thanks to a walkover in the second round and Mikhail Youzhny pulling up after just six games in the third round.
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This time around, he only needed about 2 hours to outclass his British rival, as he progressed into the quarterfinals of the tournament for the 10th consecutive year, with a score-line of 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.
Jack Sock’s bid to be the first American male to make the U.S. Open quarterfinals since 2011 was halted when ninth-seeded Jo-Wilfried dispatched him with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-2 victory in the fourth round on Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium in NY.
But world number 84 Edmund can certainly look back on his time in NY with fond memories, following wins over 13th seed Richard Gasquet and 20th seed John Isner.
“It’s going to be good challenge to play against him”, said Wawrinka who is in his fourth successive US Open quarter-final and is a two-time semi-finalist. Up 5-4, Djokovic didn’t give up a point in breaking Edmund again to finish off the match.
The Briton dropped his serve in the third game, lost seven games in a row from the middle of the first set and seemed to be heading for a major hiding when Djokovic went 2-0 up in the third.
“Not that I didn’t believe in my game, but it’s nice to actually do it on a big stage against some good players, two top-20 players and a guy that was playing well”.
“I thought I came out of the blocks really good”, Djokovic said in an on-court interview, after wrapping up his 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win.
“I think it’s great that I get to play a night session tonight”, Djokovic said. I made Kyle work for each point. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, his quarterfinal opponent at Flushing Meadows, could well take it to him if he serves up similar stats on Tuesday.
Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, hits a return shot to Kyle Edmund, of Britain, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in NY.
“I’m getting better and better each time at that”.
However, his journey came to an unsurprising end in the fourth round as he was beaten by World No.1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets. “After a weird couple of rounds, I’m glad to be back”.
“Considering I had some struggles before the tournament, I feel great at this moment physically; mentally as well I’m motivated”.
“But I’m trying to not put pressure on myself, because I know I have to win a few more matches to reach the No 1”.
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Defeat for Nadal means that this year marks the first since 2004 that the 30-year-old has failed to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final. “I like Clay. That was a little deal we had before the match”.
