US Open 2024: Reigning champion Novak Djokovic defeated fellow countrymen Laslo Djere in the second round of US Open 2024 on Thursday. The ace tennis player dominated the first two sets by 6-4 6-4 and then eventually won the match as Djere withdrew midway due to injury.

Djere gave a stiff challenge to Djokovic although his body was struggling and he then withdrew from the match as his injury had aggravated. It should be noted here that both the players braved through the unbearable heat and both of them were struggling at different times of the game. Post the first set, Djokovic got his abs massaged and was also using ice packs to get some relief from the humidity. Djere's trainers also helped him to cool down.

Both of them played brilliantly in the first set but then Djokovic broke Djere's serve and then won the set. But the youngster didn't give up easily and got inspired by the five-setter match between him and Djokovic of their previous matches and bounced back by breaking his serve in the third game of the second set.

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But Djere lost the plot due to an unfortunate injury in the eighth game as he was seen limping after the serve and Djokovic took advantage of the opportunity and converted the break point. Djere was trailing by 5-4 in the second set and that was when he took a medical break as he was lying on the court with his physio giving him a massage on his abdomen and his lower back.

Djokovic to face Alexei Popyrin in third round

Due to his fitness issues, Djere couldn't do anything to stop a red-hot Djokovic, who broke his serve again in the tenth game and won the second set. The reigning champion got another break point against Djere in the third set of the second game and was leading by 2-0 and Djere then dropped his racquet in frustration.

That's when he gave up and was seen shaking hands with Djokovic, who won the match and Djere retired hurt. The fans were expecting more from the players, who were involved in an intense clash at the same venue last year. Djokovic has now reached the third round, where he will lock horns with Australia's Alexei Popyrin.