Novak Djokovic all set to shine in New York night
26 Aug 2014 5:57 AM IST
The Serbian star ended a maddening spate of near-misses in majors with a five-set triumph over Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final. With his seventh Grand Slam title in hand, the 27-year-old will be trying to claim a second title at Flushing Meadows, where he won the title in 2011 but finished runner-up in 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2013.
‘It’s going to be a long two weeks’ journey for all of us,’ said Djokovic, who will play 79th-ranked Argentinian Diego Schwartzman under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
The two have never met, and Djokovic said he’d be relying on scouting reports from his team to prepare. ‘Obviously it’s never easy when you play against somebody you have never played against. He’s a young player from Argentina, and, sure playing on the center court for him is a great experience. He has nothing to lose,’ Djokovic said.
The absence of defending champion Rafael Nadal with a right wrist injury has opened up the men’s draw somewhat, but many reckon the second-seeded Federer stands to benefit the most from the Spaniard’s absence.
The Swiss great, who claimed the last of his 17 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon in 2012, is enjoying a resurgence that included a picture-perfect build-up to the US Open.
‘Favorites? I leave it to the people to really judge who is the one, two, three or number four favorite,’ said Djokovic, who on paper faces a tougher path to the final with 2012 champion Andy Murray, French dangerman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and big-serving American John Isner in his quarter.
Murray, seeded eighth, hasn’t reached a final of any kind since his Wimbledon triumph last year, but he says he has at last regained the level of fitness he had before back trouble slowed him late in 2013.
He was pleased to be getting underway on Monday with a potentially tricky first-round match against Dutch veteran Robin Haase on Louis Armstrong Stadium. Former women’s champions Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams are also in action on the opening day, along with reigning Australian Open champion Swiss star Stan Wawrinka.
‘It’s going to be a long two weeks’ journey for all of us,’ said Djokovic, who will play 79th-ranked Argentinian Diego Schwartzman under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
The two have never met, and Djokovic said he’d be relying on scouting reports from his team to prepare. ‘Obviously it’s never easy when you play against somebody you have never played against. He’s a young player from Argentina, and, sure playing on the center court for him is a great experience. He has nothing to lose,’ Djokovic said.
The absence of defending champion Rafael Nadal with a right wrist injury has opened up the men’s draw somewhat, but many reckon the second-seeded Federer stands to benefit the most from the Spaniard’s absence.
The Swiss great, who claimed the last of his 17 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon in 2012, is enjoying a resurgence that included a picture-perfect build-up to the US Open.
‘Favorites? I leave it to the people to really judge who is the one, two, three or number four favorite,’ said Djokovic, who on paper faces a tougher path to the final with 2012 champion Andy Murray, French dangerman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and big-serving American John Isner in his quarter.
Murray, seeded eighth, hasn’t reached a final of any kind since his Wimbledon triumph last year, but he says he has at last regained the level of fitness he had before back trouble slowed him late in 2013.
He was pleased to be getting underway on Monday with a potentially tricky first-round match against Dutch veteran Robin Haase on Louis Armstrong Stadium. Former women’s champions Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams are also in action on the opening day, along with reigning Australian Open champion Swiss star Stan Wawrinka.
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