Novak Djokovic Retires Mid Match Against Stan Wawrinka at US Open 2019

The former US Open champions, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka set up the fourth-round match on the seventh day of US Open 2019. In the night session match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the World Number one and defending champion, Djokovic retired from the fourth round at 6-4, 7-5, 2-1 (ret) due to his shoulder issues. 

Set One:

The encounter began with a tough game of deuces, the ATP men engaged in extended rallies. The first break point of the match dropped in on Wawrinka’s serve and Novak had a bright chance to take a 3-1 lead in the opening set. The Swiss came up with massive serves and held his game at 2-2.

No.1e!

It was Wawrinka facing triple break points in the next game on Novak’s serve as the Serb committed a backhand error. The Serb could save one of them, and with an error on the next one, Stan led by 3-2 in the first set.

Top-view of his elasticity…Djoko!

Protecting his next service game with ace serves, the three-time Grand Slam champion recovered from 15*-40 trail on his serve and consolidated the break for a 4-2 lead.

With Wawrinka having an upper hand on his first serves, Novak Djokovic couldn’t get close to his services games. 

The Serb held his serve to 30 at 5-4 with a lovely backhand winner down the line, but it was the Swiss who was serving for the set in the next game.

Winner!

A forehand winner on Djokovic’s lob dropped jaws on Ashe, keeping his dominance on his first serve intact, Stan Wawrinka sealed the set 6-4.

Stanimal First Set!

Space for one more copper statue!

Set Two: 

Novak Djokovic converted the fifth break point of the match and as Wawrinka’s first serves dropped. With the Serb playing some cautious tennis, and the top-seed lead by 3-0 in the second set.

WOWrinka!

Djokovic was trembling despite taking a 4-1 lead in the second set. The set was stabilized at 4-3 as Stan Wawrinka took back his service game with his down the line one-hander skills.

Stan Breaks Back!

Stan supported his break by holding his serve to love at 4-4 and came up with some fastest serves. In the next game, Novak saved a break point and made a gutsy hold at 5-4 with a pitch-perfect volley.

What a hold!

Stan Wawrinka served out the next game at love, but the Arthur Ashe Stadium resonated in the next game. Djokovic came up with a faulty serve and volley tennis on his second serve and that gave the Swiss two break points.

The New Yorkers rejoiced as the Serb netted a backhand as that gave Stan an opportunity to serve for the second set. In the next game, it was Stan Wawrinka who led by two sets against the defending champion of Flushing Meadows.

Set Three: 

Djokovic called out his trainer and received treatment for his shoulder, but after Wawrinka broke him in the third set, the Serb retired from the US Open 2019’s fourth round.

“It’s never the way you want to finish a match. I’m really sorry for Novak. He’s a good friend, an amazing champion. We’ve played amazing battles all of my career,” Wawrinka said. Stan Wawrinka will meet Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals of US Open 2019.