NEW YORK -- Novak Djokovic was beaten by Jenson Brooksby in the fourth round of the US Open. This was amid a raucous atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Djokovic and all others should know that Brooksby, a wild-card entry from California aged 20, is ranked 99th, and has never been on this stage before.
Djokovic then showed, no surprise, why he is who and how he managed to get within three wins of the first calendar year Grand Slam in men’s tennis in 52-years.
The No. 1 ranked player settled in and sent messages to Brooksby and the fans with roars. Djokovic, the No. 1 player in majors, improved to 25-0 with wins of 1-6,6-3, 6-2 and 6-2 on Monday night. Djokovic extended his quest for a Grand Slam, a record-breaking 21st major title, and also won 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Monday night. This was the first time in US Open history, which dates back to 1880s, that there were no men or women from the host nation in the quarterfinals.
"Was an excellent finish. Djokovic admitted that it was not a good start. He hopes to add the fourth US Open title. His collection has been enhanced by his ninth win at the Australian Open in Feb., second at Wimbledon in July, and third at the French Open. Next up, he will meet No. 6 Matteo Berrettini, from Italy, will next meet him in a rematch at the All England Club.
Monday's turnaround was possible because Djokovic broke in Brooksby’s first service game in each set.
Djokovic stated, "I wanted him to wear me down."
Brooksby was unable to play due to a left hip injury that he suffered earlier in the tournament. He saw an athletic trainer after the second and third sets. Brooksby was not overwhelmed by Ashe's blue courts, even though he had never been there until two hours before the match.
Djokovic said, "We're going see a lot more of him in the future," and would become the first man since Rod Laver, 1969, to win all four Slam trophy trophies in a single year. He has the means. There are many things that need to be done. He has an unconventional game. He has a great sense of the feeling. He is smart. He is smart.
Brooksby's 6-foot-4 reach and strides, his anticipation, his variety, which includes a well-disguised backhand slice with two hands, his think-steps ahead point construction, and his commitment to patterns created by Joe Gilbert, his coach at Sacramento, left Djokovic feeling a little discombobulated.
Brooksby stated, "I knew it was important to start strong, impose my mindset, my strategy, and my game out there," It was easy to see the results. "I had a lot confidence in myself that I could beat him. I can beat anyone."
Brooksby committed one unforced mistake in the first set. Djokovic 11. Brooksby won 14 points, Djokovic had four. Brooksby was moved two points by Djokovic when he scored an overhead. Most of the spectators at the arena, which has a capacity of 23,000, were excited to see him again after last year's ban.
Brooksby swung both arms in support of Djokovic when he failed to return to cede the set he was making to his foe.
"Electric. It was amazing. I enjoyed it. Djokovic said that he enjoyed it. He would soon be hearing his own cheers. "You guys gave both the players a lot energy.
He broke to make it 2-0 in the second set, and he punched the air and shouted. The game was over at 3-1. It featured six break opportunities, nice deuces and 24 points all in all. This game lasted almost 20 minutes. Brooksby jumped and wailed to make it 3-2 when Djokovic put the ball in the net.
Djokovic quickly regrouped. Brooksby was struggling for breath, and Djokovic regrouped quickly. The result was soon clear.
Djokovic, a 34 year-old Serbian, declared that "the momentum was changed."
No. 4 Alexander Zverev from Germany vs. Lloyd Harris (South Africa), No. 12 Felix Auger–Aliassime from Canada vs. Carlos Alcaraz, 18 years old from Spain, and No. 2 Daniil Medvedev from Russia vs. Botic van der Zandschulp, qualifier from the Netherlands.
It extends the drought for the American men to 71 consecutive majors, since Andy Roddick won 2003 US Open. This is the longest singles major title drought that the U.S. men have experienced in tennis history.
Flushing Meadows, the fourth round of last year's tournament saw Djokovic defaulted after accidentally hitting a line judge with a tennisball in the throat. He had dropped a match against Pablo Carreno Busta.
He now plays Berrettini (a 6-4 and 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, and 6-2 winner against Oscar Otte during the quarters). Berrettini was defeated by Djokovic to win Wimbledon. He also won 20 Grand Slam titles, which is tied with Roger Federer's and Rafael Nadal's record for most Grand Slam titles won by a male.
Zverev, the Olympic champion, beat Jannik Siner 6-4 and 7-6 (7) earlier Monday for his 15th consecutive victory. The No. The No. 4 seed from Germany began that run in Japan, and he continued it through a title at Cincinnati. He then continued on to the US Open where he finished second to Dominic Thiem last season.
Zverev stated, "I'm happy in my current position, I'm content with the way things are and I'm satisfied with the past few months." "I'm now in the quarterfinals, and the matches from here on out will not get any easier."
Zverev's winning streak also includes victory over Djokovic during the Olympics semifinals.
This report was based on information from ESPN Stats & Information as well as The Associated Press.
