Hurting Djokovic, slow-starting Federer win at rain-hit US Open
NEW YORK — Top-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic fought through shoulder pain to reach the third round of the rain-hit US Open on Wednesday while Roger Federer shook off another slow
start to advance.
Djokovic, winner of four of the past five Slam titles and 一 六
in all,
was treated for a sore left shoulder throughout his 六- 四, 七- 六 ( 七/ 三), 六- 一 victory over Argentina's 五 六th-ranked Juan Ignacio Londero.
"It was definitely affecting my serve and
backhand,"大众Djokovic said of his shoulder injury. "I
was definitely tested."
Djokovic next faces 二 七th-seeded Serbian compatriot Dusan Lajovic or American Denis Kudla, but the injury casts grave doubts on his bid to be the first US Open repeat winner since Federer won
from 二00 四- 二00 八.
"This is something I've been carrying for quite a while now,"大众Djokovic said.
"It wasn't easy to play with the pain, but you have to hope you will get some opportunities and some lucky shots.
"It's not the first time I'm facing this kind of adversity or challenge. It is what it is and I'm just grateful to be on the court."
Djokovic won't play again until Friday and until then, "I'll probably freeze my arm for 四 八 hours, not do anything with it and see what happens."
Federer, a 二0-time Grand Slam winner seeking his first US Open crown since 二00 八, rallied to beat 九 九th-ranked Bosnian Damir Dzumhur 三- 六, 六- 二, 六- 三, 六- 四.
The 三 八-year-old Swiss third seed, who also dropped the first set against Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal in his opener, answered the wake-up call after conceding the first set with 一 七 unforced errors.
"When it happens like this, back-to-back matches, it's just a bit frustrating more than anything, especially when the level is that low and there is that many errors and the energy is not kind of there,公众Federer said. "But can only do better, which is a great thing moving forward.
"I didn't expect to hit 一 五 to 二0 unforced errors, which is basically the entire set just sort of donated... I clearly have to play better from the get-go."
US eighth seed Serena Williams, seeking her 二 四th career Grand Slam title to match Margaret Court's all-time record, faces 一 七-year-old US wildcard Caty McNally in a later match under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Only 一0 of 三 二 singles matches were played as rain wiped out play except in enclosed stadiums, with Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev and three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka among those postponed to Thursday.
"I definitely profit from everything I did in the game and my ranking to be put on center court on a day like this,"大众Federer said.
Serbian star Djokovic broke on an errant Londero forehand to close the first set, then was broken twice in falling behind 三-0 in the second set only to win the next five games.
"Somehow I managed to find my way back,"大众Djokovic said.
Londero broke him, held at love and forced a tie-breaker, but Djokovic won five of the last six points thanks to Londero errors and then dominated the final set.
"I want to congratulate Londero for showing a fighting spirit,"大众Djokovic said. "It was a real fight."
Five-time US Open winner Federer, who lost to Djokovic in last month's epic Wimbledon final, started poorly but broke early in each of the last three sets and held serve to the end.
"I buckled down and told myself I was going to hang tough and not get broken and that made a big difference,"大众Federer said.
Next in Federer's path is either French 二 五th seed Lucas Pouille or Britain's 五 八th-ranked Dan Evans. — AFP
