On a 25-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments, Novak Djokovic faced Matteo Berrettini in the US Open 2021 quarterfinals. Notably, it was their third major tournament meeting in the same year. Moreover, this year’s American Slam seemed more strenuous than previous campaigns for the Serbian World No.1.

Undoubtedly, Djokovic had more to lose than any other tennis player in Flushing Meadows, New York. While contending for the calendar-year Grand Slam, Djokovic is also one Slam away from breaking Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal‘s career haul.

Indeed, the pressure on his shoulders has been extraordinary. Accordingly, his statistics at the US Open 2021 compared to previous years also proved that.

For instance, the Serbian ace played 131 games so far in this year’s campaign, the most since 2010. Similarly, he lost three sets until now and has spent ten hours and 25 minutes on court, that is, the most since 2008.

Despite losing the first set, Djokovic has always found a way back into the match. However, this time, it would be an Everest challenge to tame the inspired Italian Berrettini.

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Novak Djokovic loses first set to Matteo Berrettini at US Open 2021 QFs

Both Djokovic and Berrettini showed complete resilience in keeping hold of their service games. For this, the duo saved multiple breakpoints and played the opening set for more than an hour.

Ultimately, the Italian force cracked a hole in the Serbian’s game. As a result, he got the crucial break when serving at 5-5. Afterward, Berrettini comfortably served out the set, winning it 7-5.

Interestingly, Djokovic lost the opening set in his previous two encounters against Kei Nishikori and Jenson Brooksby. Following that, he never gave his opponent any chance to stay in the match.

Hence, the question in place is: Will Djokovic find his way back against Berrettini? Or will the Italian finally open his winning mark against the best player in the world?

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Djokovic and Berrettini’s previous meetings in 2021

Before the US Open quarterfinals, the couple also met in the Roland-Garros quarterfinals and the Wimbledon final. On both occasions, Berrettini only won one set against Djokovic.

Furthermore, the Italian had won the opening set in the Championships final but toppled down afterward. Hence, it would equally be a challenge for him to stay in the match until the end.

Let’s see who goes on to prove the stat wrong in this blockbuster US Open 2021 quarterfinals. Whose side are you on?

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