Novak Djokovic tennis world number three win over Marin Cilic in a four-hour battle, Djokovic was tested to the limit before scraping into round four of the US Open. Cilic after winning the first set and saved two match points in the fourth before losing 6-7 (7-9) 7-5 6-4 7-6 (7-0).
Former world number one Roger Federer cruised through, barely breaking sweat as he beat Radek Stepanek 6-3 6-3 6-2.
Home favorite Andy Roddick also showed something like his best form as he saw off Andreas Seppi 6-2 7-5 7-6 (7-4).
Cilic won a high-quality first set on a tie-break, bravely smacking a clean backhand winner down the line to snatch it.
Both men then fluctuated between the sublime and the distinctly average, with Djokovic allowing an early break to slip in each of the next three sets.
An inspired Cilic survived two match points before leveling at 5-5 in the fourth but he crumbled in the tie-break and Djokovic prevailed after three hours 52 minutes.
The Serbian admitted: "I was really trying to stay in the match all the time.
"It is always good in the early stages to have long matches, to hustle and stay on the court a long time. Now I'm motivated to go far.
"I always manage to get through these tough matches. If you are mentally able to play the best tennis in the most important moments you are different than the others.
"The good thing about that second set was that I stayed focused. He was stepping in and I was playing a bit too defensive.
"He didn't have much to lose as a youngster. He won at New Haven (one week before the US Open) and he won a couple of matches here and he was on the centre court for the first time.
"It was more the fight and focus I had in the end.
"I got myself together after those two match points. I was mentally strong. For me this match is extremely important mentally for me to continue going on."
Djokovic will now meet Spain's Tommy Robredo in round four.
Who Is Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic was born on May 22, 1987 in Belgrade, Serbia, Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player and current World No. 3.
In January 2008, he won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. After a straight sets win over World No. 1 and defending champion Roger Federer in the semifinals, Djokovic won the final in four sets against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. He thereby became the first player representing Serbia ever to win a Grand Slam singles title and the youngest player in the open era to have reached all four Grand Slam semifinals.
Djokovic Playing Style
Djokovic is an all-court player. His greatest strengths includes his dominant groundstrokes, especially the forehand which are powerful, deep, well angled, and hit with strong topspin, although his preferred groundstroke is the backhand. With considerable speed, his serve is one of his major weapons winning many free points from his flatter first serve and employing a sharp curving kick serve as his second serve. Djokovic, while very sound and powerful from the baseline, often finishes points by coming to the net similar to Roger Federer. He also utilizes a well-disguised backhand underspin dropshot and sliced backhand (groundstroke) in his repertoire.
Djokovic Equipments
Djokovic endorses/is sponsored by Wilson and adidas; he is currently using the Wilson [K]Blade Tour racquet strung with Wilson Champions Choice. Djokovic also wears the adidas Barricade V shoes and the adidas Edge Group clothing. Adidas allowed Djokovic to wear Nike shoes at Wimbledon in 2008.
FYI - Behind Sports
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