Djokovic into US Open quarter-finals

Novak Djokovic steamed into the quarter-finals of the US Open with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 victory against 84th-ranked Briton Kyle Edmund.

Edmund, playing in a Grand Slam fourth round for the first time, barely got a look-in during the first two sets against the world number one and defending champion, who booked a last-eight meeting with ninth-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a 6-3, 6-3, 6-7 (7/9), 6-2 winner over American Jack Sock.

“Feels great to play a full match after a weird couple of days when I didn’t have too much tennis,” said Djokovic, who received a walkover into the third round when Czech Jiri Vesely pulled out of the tournament injured and played just six games before third-round foe Mikhail Youzhy retired. Even with the extra rest, however, he required on-court treatment on his right arm the same one he had treated during his scrappy first-round victory over Jerzy Janowicz. Having raced through the first two sets in just over an hour, Djokovic sought treatment after surrendering his first service break of the night starting a run of three straight games for Edmund that gave the Briton a 3-2 lead.

Tsonga next faces world number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic, who powered past 84th-ranked Kyle Edmund of Britain 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.

Edmund looked thoroughly out-classed until he managed to put together a run of three straight games in the third set that included two breaks of Djokovic’s serve.

“Feels great to play a full match after a weird couple of days when I didn’t have too much tennis,” said Djokovic, who was handed a walkover into the third round by injured Czech Jiri Vesely and played just six games before third round opponent Mikhail Youzhny retired hurt.

The remaining round of 16 matches were scheduled for Monday, when world number two Andy Murray will take on Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

Third-seeded Stan Wawrinka, sixth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan, eighth-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem and former champion Juan Martin del Potro will also battle for quarter-final berths. Djokovic put the set back on serve with a break for 3-3, and broke Edmund at love to close out the match.

Even after the tighter third set, Djokovic was pleased with his night’s work.

“I came out of the blocks with high intensity which was hard after waiting all day to start the match,” he said.  “I made him work for every point.”