US Open 2020: Novak Djokovic survives scare against Kyle Edmund to reach third round

Stefanos Tsitsipas weathered a serve-volleying storm from Maxime Cressy before grinding the American wildcard down 7-6(2) 6-3 6-4 to reach the third round of the U.S. Open on Thursday (NZ time).

In a slow-burning contest of short, sharp points, fourth seed Tsitsipas had to fight off a set point against the French-born Cressy, who thrashed down 21 aces and chipped-and-charged relentlessly on a muggy night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Impressing in his main draw debut at a Grand Slam, Cressy dragged the Greek deep into the final set but was broken in the ninth game as fatigue set in, allowing Tsitsipas to close out a tough win on serve.

Tsitsipas will next play Croatia's Borna Coric for a place in the last 16.

Earlier, world No.1 Novak Djokovic extended his unbeaten run to 25 matches, as he fought back from a set down to defeat Britain's Kyle Edmund.

The top-seeded Djokovic won 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to move into the third round where he'll face German Jan-Lennard Struff.

On a hot, humid day at Flushing Meadows, Edmund was left bathed in sweat while a cool and collected Djokovic stayed on course for his 18th Grand Slam title and improved his 2020 match record to 25-0.

As it stands, it's the second best start to a season since the Serb went 41-0 in 2011.

With the two other members of the sport's Big Three 'Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal' absent from the tournament, Djokovic is heavy favourite to hoist the trophy and the Serb overcame a slow start to show why.

Earlier, fifth seed Alexander Zverev fought off a spirited challenge from American wildcard Brandon Nakashima to claim a 7-5 6-7(8) 6-3 6-1 second round victory.

Alexander Zverev.
Alexander Zverev. Photo credit: Reuters

Zverev did not drop serve in a solid all-round display but was stretched to four sets by teenager Nakashima, ranked 223 in the world.

"I didn't get broken even though my second serve was shaky a little bit," says Zverev.

"My backhand was shaky too. I will have to go practise some more."

Reuters