Despite occasionally convincing play, the win was not entirely without drama. Already at the end of the first set, Djokovic had to take a timeout for medical care after problems with his back. After the match, however, he downplayed the back problems.
I'm fine. I'm as young and strong as ever, said the 38-year-old, who is the oldest male player to reach the fourth round in the US Open in 34 years.
At the same time, Djokovic noted that his body is not at its best.
To be honest, it's frustrating that I don't always feel 100 percent fresh, like I have been able to do for over 20 years.
Djokovic will now face the qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff from Germany, who surprisingly knocked out the American Frances Tiafoe in three straight sets, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6. The home hope Ben Shelton, on the other hand, had to abandon his match against the Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
At a score of 2–2 in the set, Shelton threw in the towel due to a shoulder injury and has played his last match this year in Flushing Meadows.
A bright spot for the Americans, however, was Taylor Fritz, who advanced to the fourth round. The fourth-seeded Fritz won the late evening match against the Swiss surprise Jerome Kym, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4, 6–4. Fritz will face the Czech Tomas Machac in the next round.
