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US Open 2025: Novak Djokovic is inching closer to winning his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title on Friday as he defeated Cameron Norrie by 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3 and has qualified for the fourth round of the ongoing Grand Slam. Novak, who went through a rough patch this year owing to injuries, was seen struggling due to a lower back injury, but bounced back brilliantly.

Djokovic was able to pile pressure on Norrie as he was leading by 4-3 during the first set by playing a brilliant forehand and taking advantage by registering his ninth ace of the game. But he was then seen struggling with back problems after he was leading by 5-4 and was seen getting treatment on the court. He once again needed medical attention during the second set. This short delay did affect his first-serve speed, but his vast experience helped him to stay active against Norrie.

The second set became quite intense as Norrie came from behind and reduced the two-point deficit, and ensured that the scores were leveled. During the third set, Norrie had played a drop shot and was on the verge of changing the tide of the match, but Djokovic made a brilliant comeback by winning three consecutive games. He was also seen asking a fan at the stadium to stay quiet, and that just proved how focused he was. Djokovic bounced back during the fourth set and controlled the match till the end, and he also maintained his brilliant head-to-head record against Norrie. He will lock horns with Jen-Lennard Struff during the fourth round.

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SABALENKA BEATS FERNANDEZ

As far as the women's singles are concerned, Aryna Sabalenka took her revenge on Leylah Fernandez after defeating her by 6-3, 7-6(2) and thus maintained her brilliant third-round record at the ongoing Grand Slam. She had lost to Fernandez in a huge upset way back in the 2021 semifinals, and on Friday, she was able to take her revenge.

She did survive some nervy moments earlier during her previous matches, which also included three break points. After going through her first test, she began playing aggressively and broke Fernandez's serve during the fourth game of the first set. Fernandez did give her a hard time and forced a tiebreak during the second set, but Sabalena kept calm and eventually won the match. She was leading by 6-1 during the tiebreak and thus won the match by playing a forehand.

"I really wanted this revenge. "I'm very happy with the win," Sabalenka told broadcasters during the post-match presentation. With this victory, she had extended her third-round record to 6-0.

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 EMMA NAVARRO STUNNED

Barbora Krejcikova removed the first set deficit and beat Emma Novarros by 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and has qualified for the fourth round. Navarro, who had defeated Caty McNally during the second round, was leading by 5-1 during the first set and played consistently. Krejcikova then bounced back brilliantly by playing two service breaks and reduced the gap to 5-4 ad, but Navarro won the opener.

The second set was also played out in a similar fashion, where Krejcikova was leading by 4-0. She was then leading by 5-2, but Navarro then bounced back and took the score to 5-4, and then Krejcikova forced the game to a decider. During the final set, Navarro was leading by 3-0, but then Krejcikova bounced back brilliantly and won five consecutive games, and was leading by 5-4 and thus won the match.