Novak Djokovic steamed into the quarter-finals of the US Open with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 victory against 84th-ranked Briton Kyle Edmund.
Edmund, playing in a Grand Slam fourth round for the first time, barely got a look-in during the first two sets against the world number one and defending champion, who booked a last-eight meeting with ninth-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a 6-3, 6-3, 6-7 (7/9), 6-2 winner over American Jack Sock.
“Feels great to play a full match after a weird couple of days when I didn´t have too much tennis,” said Djokovic, who received a walkover into the third round when Czech Jiri Vesely pulled out of the tournament injured and played just six games before third-round foe Mikhail Youzhy retired.
Even with the extra rest, however, he required on-court treatment on his right arm — the same one he had treated during his scrappy first-round victory over Jerzy Janowicz.
Having raced through the first two sets in just over an hour, Djokovic sought treatment after surrendering his first service break of the night — starting a run of three straight games for Edmund that gave the Briton a 3-2 lead.
Djokovic put the set back on serve with a break for 3-3, and broke Edmund at love to close out the match.
Even after the tighter third set, Djokovic was pleased with his night´s work.
“I came out of the blocks with high intensity which was hard after waiting all day to start the match,” he said. “I made him work for every point.” (AFP)
