US Open 2025 Men’s Day 4

Novak Djokovic survived an early surge from an inspired young American before quickly seizing back control to emerge with a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 reach the third round of  the US Open on Wednesday.

The 38-year-old with 24 Grand Slam singles titles was caught off-guard by 22-year-old Zachary Zvajda, the world No. 145, with the youngster winning the opener with a backhand winner down the line.

But Djokovic rallied to switch the momentum as upset dreams began to fade, with the veteran Serb coming up the winner in two and a half hours.

Djokovic has never failed to reach the third round at Flushing Meadows in all of his 19 appearances.

The veteran said he needed all of his powers of concentration during matches with the newest tennis generation.

“I concentrate on my tennis and strategy – what I can do on the court.  When I play these guys I have to be mentally calm at the right moment.

“They don’t have anything to lose. Today it took me a set and a to find the faith in my game and I need that match play to regain my sensations on court.

“I don’t have any injury or anything. I just struggled a lot to stay in long exchanges and recover after points.”

He added: “I’m not pleased with my level of tennis, but you have days like this where you’re not playing at your best.

“You just find a way. Not to get too philosophical about it, but I still
love the feeling of competition, the drive that I feel on the court.” 

Djokovic pulled level on 191 with Roger Federer atop the obscure stat category of most Grand Slam wins on hardcourt. The Serb stands a perfect 15-0 versus Americans at the Open.

Fifth-seeded 2024 finalist Taylor Fritz needed to mount a fightback to secure his 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-4 defeat South African qualifier Lloyd Harris.

Fritz could become the first American man to reach back-to-back finals here since Pete Sampras (2000-2002)

Brazilian hope Joao Fonseca ended his run at this edition as he took a 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-3 to Czech Tomas Machac.

Swiss qualifier Jerome Kym produced a shock with his defeat American  Brandon Nakashima 4-6, 7-6 (2), 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (8), a win which took just under four and a half hours on an outside court packed with spectators.

The No. 175 winner is making his Open debut at this edition and becomes the first Swiss man to make it this far here since Dominic Sticker and 2016 champion Stan Warwrinka in 2023.

Belgian outsider Raphael Collignon, ranked 107, stunned 2022 runner-up  Casper Ruud 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, firing 18 aces among his 52 winners against the Norwegian..

“I think it’s the best day of my life. Thank you,” the winner said after the first top 20 victory of his career and only his third at the Tour level. 

“I played a good match. It wasn’t easy because Casper is a great champion. I was so scared at the beginning but I found the rhythm.”

The loss leaves the ATP No. 12 with a dismal year at the majors, with second-round defeats in Melbourne and Paris before pulling out injured from Wimbledon.

France’s Benjamin Bonzi followed up his win over Daniil Medvedev with another five-set success as he beat Marcos Giron 2-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4, coming from two sets and a break down .