Novak Djokovic fights along Cameron Norrie to become the oldest man to reach us fourth round since 1991

At a time when Novak Djokovic could really benefit from some simple victories to alleviate the early rounds of his last Grand Slam tournament of the year, nothing easily came in New York. But under the fierce lights on Friday evening, Djokovic stopped an impressive Cameron Norrie to reach the fourth round of the US Open with a 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3 victory in his best performance of the tournament so far.

The victory makes Djokovic, 38, the oldest man who reaches the last 16 of the US Open in 34 years – since Jimmy Connors in 1991. He also connects Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam fourth round performances in history with 69 performances. “These kinds of competitions and performances always give me the hope that I can go far, challenge the best players in the world,” said Djokovic.

Norrie faced a non -enviable challenge in his first performance ever in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Djokovic is perhaps vulnerable in New York, given his six-week absence in the Tour and a lukewarm form in his earlier competitions, but the 24-way Grand SLAM champion has proven a nightmare match for Norrie about the career of the Brit. Djokovic had won each of their previous six meetings and had only lost two sets.

For a while, Djokovic seemed to walk to a difficult early victory when he broke in the beginning and went to the opening set, but at 5-3 the Serbian started to struggle with his movement and he stretched repeatedly from his lower back. He quickly called the trainer and took an off-court medical-out on 5-4.

“In terms of how I feel, it really goes up and down, to be honest,” said Djokovic. “To be honest, it is frustrating for me that I am unable to feel more than more than more than more than more than 20 years more than 100%. But I think the circumstances are very different and I have to get used to the fact that every competition is something that can happen, because this year it has been the case in almost every slam.”

Although he returned to close the set and continue his excellent early serving form, Djokovic didn’t look happy. His many breaks eventually gave Norrie to talk to the referee about his time between points. “I don’t think it was a tactic, but I would have liked the referee to be a little more assertive. It didn’t change anything for the game,” said Norrie.

“Only three or four times I had to wait for him for my serve, and partly I think he might stretch a little … But it had nothing to do with Novak. I just asked the referee what the rule is every time I had to wait for him. No, it wasn’t really something there.”

Because of those disturbances, Norrie tried hard to put pressure on the Serbian. He played much more offensive tennis than usual and as a result of his courage, he put together his best piece of tennis against Djokovic, forced a tie-break and performed strongly under pressure to deliver the game. The Forehand of Norrie, often too little subdivided against the best players, was spectacular in the middle of the game.

Faced with a real challenge, Djokovic responded firmly. His portion was supreme in the last sets, ending with 18 aces, and he mumbled Norrie’s game with ruthless depth as he dictated the game. It was a quality match for both players, so Djokovic could go in the second week in the second week hopeful that he will find his rhythm and form.

In the meantime, Norrie leaves New York who has continued his excellent form this summer while trying to restore himself among the best players in the world.

“I always think that when I play these top players such as Rafa in the past or Novak, I feel that it is like a different kind of level, play against them and I always play so well after these tournaments, you clearly get many representatives,” said Norrie.

“To play against these top boys and see what they can design and point out, it is definitely a different level. So I can certainly take a lot of confidence in this.”