Djokovic battles through brutal heat to topple Fucsovics
Aug 28, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot against Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in a first round match on day two of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic overcame Hungary's Marton Fucsovics 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-0 in the U.S. Open first round on Tuesday in punishing temperatures that prompted officials to observe a heat rule for men's singles matches for the first time.
The players took a 10-minute break between the third and fourth sets to help them cope with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius).
Aug 28, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia after beating Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in a first round match on day two of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
The pair, who were not allowed to speak to their coaches during the break, spent the downtime side-by-side, "naked in the ice baths," Djokovic said in a post-match broadcast interview.
"It was quite a magnificent feeling, I must say," he added.
After claiming the first set, a visibly exhausted Djokovic smashed his racket as Fucsovics led 3-2 in the second. In between the action, both players draped themselves in ice towels and at one point Djokovic sat shirtless in his seat.
Aug 28, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates match point against Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in a first round match on day two of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
"I was obviously hoping and praying that I'll get to feel better as the match progresses," Djokovic told reporters after the match.
"Obviously I felt better, especially after that 10-minute break. For the first three sets, it was a survival mode for both of us."
The Serb came roaring back in the third set, clawing his way from 3-1 down before sweeping Fucsovics in the fourth.
Aug 28, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning the 3rd set against Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in a first round match on day two of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
"I had to find a way to dig myself out of the trouble," Djokovic said.
"I think that was a turning point. 4-3 in the third when he was serving, I managed to play a good game."
Djokovic was back at the U.S. Open for the first time since 2016 after claiming his fourth Wimbledon title this year and completing a sweep of Masters series events.
Aug 28, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia coping with the extreme heat while playing Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in a first round match on day two of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Aug 28, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia after beating Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in a first round match on day two of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY SportsAug 28, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates match point against Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in a first round match on day two of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
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