Djokovic fights past American qualifier Svajda in US Open second round

Novak Djokovic cleaned up his play after a series of uncharacteristic early miscues to battle past American qualifier Zachary Svaida in four sets 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1, advancing to the third round at the US Open in Queens, New York, on Wednesday.

In his first match since his bowing out in last month's Wimbledon semifinals, Djokovic defeated home hope Learner Tien on Sunday, but struggled with his footwork and balance throughout that straight-sets win.

The Serbian started his second outing at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center by dropping the first set against Svajda in a tiebreak. 

But the 38-year-old managed to increase his intensity in the second set, while his younger opponent began to struggle physically, before the World No. 7 claimed the frame 6-3.

The four-time US Open winner, who picked up titles at Flushing Meadows in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023, maintained his reinvigorated momentum in the third, taking the set 6-3 with a perfectly-placed forehand into the corner.

After a leg issue caused Svajda's first serves to drop below 90 miles per hour in the third, the problem persisted in the fourth, with Djokovic extending his early lead to 3-0. He dominated the set 6-1 to advance in four after two hours and 35 minutes.

The come-from-behind victory sent the 24-time Grand Slam champion into the third round at a major for a record 75th time, breaking the mark previously set by his old rival Roger Federer.

The former World No. 1 continues his bid for a record-extending 25th top-level trophy, and first since triumphing at the US Open two years ago. He says he aims to step things up when he faces Great Britain's Cameron Norrie in the next round.

"I get really hard on myself a lot of the times, because I expect myself to play always at the highest level, which is obviously not always possible," Djokovic noted. "But you know, I still have desire to compete with the young guys, you know, otherwise I wouldn't be here playing."