Look, Borna Gojo can hit a tennis ball very hard. The Croatian stands 1.96 m in his socks and it is especially his powerful serving that can make him a difficult opponent.
Still, Novak Djokovic stayed true to his age against a much younger player to beat Gojo 6-2, 7-5 and 6-4 in the fourth round of the US Open.
“We had never played against each other before, but I knew that his serve and forehands were two of his biggest weapons. I just had to do my best to neutralize his serve,” said the Serbian after the match.
Gojo ended up hitting 14 chest shots and 40 game winners, but he also made 40 unforced errors at the same time; something that Djokovic did not let go unpunished.
The three-time US Open champion will face Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals on Tuesday – a player with whom he has already settled seven times in his career.
“Taylor’s game has improved a lot and he plays especially good tennis on the hard courts of the USA. The matches are only getting harder now, but I’m ready for the challenge,” said Djokovic.
In the women’s division, Iga Swiatek, the world’s top tennis player and defending champion, was eliminated by Jelena Ostapenka.
The final score was 3-6, 6-3 and 6-1 in the Latvian’s favor and it is the fourth time in her career that she has settled with the Pole.
Swiatek’s setback means that Aryna Sabalenka will now dethrone her as the leading women’s player in the world after 75 weeks.
The new @WTA world no. 1 pic.twitter.com/dVVW1Ub8hz
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2023
Results:
Novak Djokovic beat Borna Gojo 6-2, 7-5 and 6-4
Taylor Fritz beat Dominic Stricker 7-6, 6-4 and 6-4
Frances Tiafoe beat Rinky Hijikata 6-4, 6-1 and 6-4
Ben Shelton beat Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 4-6 and 6-4
Jelena Ostapenko beats Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-3 and 6-1
Coco Gauff beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 3-6 and 6-1
