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Novak Djokovic is through to the third round of the US Open after a gruelling match came to a premature end when Laslo Djere was forced to retire with injury.<\/b><\/p>\n
Defending champion Djokovic was leading 6-4 6-4 2-0 when an abdominal issue meant fellow Serb Djere was unable to continue.<\/p>\n
Although the match went little more than two sets, the pair were on court for more than two hours in extreme heat and humidity in New York.<\/p>\n
“It was a big fight, more than two hours for two sets,” Djokovic said.<\/p>\n
“I served awful and without the serve, you have to grind, you have to run.”<\/p>\n
The two scrapped for an hour in a ferociously contested first set before Djokovic found an extra gear to take it with a break to love.<\/p>\n
Djokovic appeared to be struggling in the humid conditions early on and received treatment before the second set.<\/p>\n
Djere sensed his chance, earned an early break and looked set to level the match at a set apiece, leading 4-2 and with two break points.<\/p>\n
However Djokovic held serve and, with his compatriot suddenly showing signs of discomfort, broke back in the next game.<\/p>\n
A medical timeout did little to help Djere as Djokovic broke again to snatch the second set.<\/p>\n
Despite being visibly in pain, Djere attempted to play on but when he failed to win a point in the first two games of the third set, he approached the net and retired.<\/p>\n
That handed Djokovic his 90th win at Flushing Meadows, making him the only man to have won 90 matches at all four Grand Slams.<\/p>\n
“It doesn’t get bigger than this in terms of a tennis stage,” the 37-year-old added.<\/p>\n
“The atmosphere is incredible and it’s a great privilege to be able to play here again at my age.”<\/p>\n
Djokovic will face 28th seed Alexei Popyrin of Australia in round three.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n