Novak Djokovic beats Richard Gasquet to reach US Open last-16
Written by News on 03/09/2018
Novak Djokovic eased into the fourth round of the US Open with a win in straight sets over Richard Gasquet.
The Wimbledon champion, seeking to add to the US Open titles he won in 2011 and 2015, triumphed 6-2 6-3 6-3 – his 13th victory over Gasquet in 14 career meetings.
Djokovic won 75 per cent of his first serves, struck 32 winners and saved each of the five break points he faced as the 32-year-old Gasquet’s game collapsed under the weight of his 47 unforced errors.
Victory keeps the 13-times Grand Slam champion on track for a potential quarter-final showdown against second seed Roger Federer, who saw off Nick Kyrgios in straight sets earlier on Saturday.
Next up for the Serb, however, is a last-16 clash with unseeded Portuguese Joao Sousa.
“He’s a fighter, he’s a grinder,” said Djokovic. “He will not hand you the victory, you’ve got to earn it.
“I’m really glad I didn’t spend too much time on the court tonight. I’m going to get some rest and move on to the next one.”
Alexander Zverev suffered another early exit in the Grand Slams as he was beaten 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 6-1 6-3 by German compatriot Philipp Kohlschreiber.
The world No 4, who reached the French Open quarter-finals earlier this season, remains without a win over a top-25 opponent at a Grand Slam after an out-of-sorts display in which he committed 53 unforced errors.
Kohlschreiber will aim to reach the quarter-finals of a major for the first time since reaching the last-eight at Wimbledon in 2012 when he takes on former finalist Kei Nishikori.
Elsewhere, Marin Cilic defeated 19-year-old Australian Alex de Minaur 4-6 3-6 6-3 6-4,7-5 to book his place in the fourth round.
Cilic, the 2014 champion, needed eight match points to defeat the world No 45 in a four-hour tie which ended at 2.22am, just four minutes short of the record for the latest finish.
Seventh seed Cilic will face Belgium’s David Goffin for a place in the quarter-finals.
(c) Sky News 2018: Novak Djokovic beats Richard Gasquet to reach US Open last-16
