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Novak Djokovic continues his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title when he faces Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in the third round at the US Open on Friday.<\/b><\/p>\n
The Serb, 37, who is tied with Margaret Court on 24 major singles titles, plays the 28th seed in the evening session at 00:00 BST on Arthur Ashe Stadium.<\/p>\n
Defending champion Djokovic and Popyrin are meeting for the third time at Grand Slams this year, with the Serb winning in four sets at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.<\/p>\n
“I’m happy to win four sets another time. Don’t get me wrong. But he keeps on getting closer and closer, knocking on that door,” said Djokovic.<\/p>\n
“He’s been playing some great tennis, so no reason for him not to believe that he can put up a great performance, and he’s going to go for the win. I know that.<\/p>\n
“But I know what to expect as well, I’m going to do my homework and see what needs to be done.”<\/p>\n
Djokovic reached the third round after compatriot Laslo Djere retired hurt in their second-round tie, while Popyrin, 25, beat Spain’s Pedro Martinez in straight sets.<\/p>\n
The Serb is a four-time winner at Flushing Meadows while Popyrin has not made it past the third round on the two previous occasions he’s reached it.<\/p>\n
In the women’s draw, American third seed Coco Gauff<\/b> continues the defence of her title against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina<\/b> on Arthur Ashe Court from 17:00 BST.<\/p>\n
Gauff, 20, beat Germany’s Tatjana Maria in straight sets to set up the meeting with 27th seed Svitolina, who breezed past compatriot Anhelina Kalinina 6-1 6-2.<\/p>\n
Gauff’s triumph was her ninth straight victory at the US Open but faces a player in good form in former world number three Svitolina, who did not drop serve once in victory against Kalinina.<\/p>\n
The tie marks the fifth meeting between the pair, with two wins apiece.<\/p>\n
Last on Arthur Ashe Court Belarusian second seed Aryna Sabalenka<\/b> takes on Russian 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.<\/b><\/p>\n
Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka will be hoping she can go one better after finishing as runner-up in New York last year, while Alexandrova is aiming to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n