Sports Emcee Andy Taylor | The Voice of the US Open | US Open
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[6] Novak Djokovic -06- (SRB) def João Sousa -68- (POR) | 63 64 63
Who is João Sousa? Popular question in Arthur Ashe Stadium before today’s thickly humid Round of 16 match. Quick answer – he’s the best Portuguese player in tennis history. And thanks to back-to-back top-20 victories last week, he reached Round-4 of a Major for the first time.
Now that we’ve handled the introductions, let’s walk through Novak’s dismantling of the World #68…
Behind a pair of breaks, Novak took set-1. After a sloppy service game in the second, Novak broke right back and ended set-2 with another pair of breaks. He delivered his 5th break late in the third to serve out the match and return to the US Open Quarterfinals.
Routine? Not according to the 2-time champ (2011 | 2015). During the winner’s interview, Novak said he can “feel his biological clock ticking,” as he continues to battle this year’s insane humidity as much as his opponents.
NEXT: [6] Novak Djokovic -06- (SRB) vs John Millman -55- (AUS)
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R4: def João Sousa -68- (POR) 63 64 63 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R3: def [26] Richard Gasquet -25- (FRA) 62 63 63 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R2: def Tennys Sandgren -61- (USA) 61 63 67(2) 62 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R1: def Marton Fucsovics -41- (HUN) 63 36 64 60 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
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[6] Novak Djokovic -06- (SRB)
Last month, this 2-time US Open Champion won his 13th career Grand Slam Singles title and 4th Wimbledon crown. In 2016, he became only the 3rd man in history to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time. This Summer, he made history again, becoming the first player ever to complete the career Golden Masters, capturing his first Cincinnati title with a straight-sets victory over 7-time Champion Roger Federer. Remarkably, he owns 70 ATP World Tour Singles titles in 101 career Finals. From Serbia – Please welcome 2011 and 2015 US Open Champion…Novak Djokovic.
João Sousa -68- (POR)
Last week, he defeated two top-20 players to reach the 4th-Round of a Grand Slam for the first time. Earlier this year, he won his 3rd ATP World Tour Singles title at his home event in Estoril – and in March, earned his 3rd and 4th career victories over top-10 opponents. At Indian Wells, he upset World #5 Sascha Zverev in the 2nd-Round – and in Miami, he earned another 2nd-Round upset over World #9 David Goffin. Ranked as high as world #28, he is the first player from his country ever to win a Tour-level title, and the highest-ranked Portuguese player in tennis history. Competing in his 6th US Open, from Portugal – Please welcome…João Sousa.
