That’s all for now. Thanks as always for following along with us and be sure to check back tomorrow for more live coverage from Flushing Meadows.
A warm round of applause for Sandgren as he makes his way off the court. Now Djokovic takes a moment to speak with ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi for an on-court interview.
“First off, credit to Tennys for playing well, fighting, showing some great attitude on the court,” Djokovic says. “He fought for almost three hours and he really deserves a great round of applause for his performance.”
Cue applause. Djokovic continues.
“I thought I played very well for the first two and a half sets and then I just lost it mentally. I got pissed off or something ... at myself, at my game. Those things happen, I guess. I’m not happy with the way I lost that concentration and composure there, but at the end of the day I managed to regroup in the fourth.”
He adds: “It’s in these kinds of moments you learn lessons. Hopefully I learn something from this and come away a better player.”
Novak Djokovic wins 6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 over Tennys Sandgren!
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 Sandgren
Djokovic rattles off a pair of short points as Sandgren’s backhand betrays him. He manages to scratch one back, but within moments Djokovic has won the match on an easy forehand winner at the net. Djokovic is through to the US Open third round for the 13th time in 13 appearances!
Djokovic breaks in seventh game of fourth set!
Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 5-2 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Sandgren’s 50th unforced error of the match – compared to 30 for Djokovic – makes it 15-all. He rips a forehand winner that paints the line for 30-15, but comes to net on the next point and Djokovic passes him clinically for 30-all. A bad miss by Sandgren gives Djokovic a break-point chance and it doesn’t go squandered: Sandgren nets a forehand from the baseline and Djokovic takes a double-break lead and will serve for a spot in the third round after the break.
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 4-2 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Sandgren is hanging around. It’s unnerving. And this has become a battle. Djokovic races to 30-love but the American gets it back to 30-all. But now Sandgren tries a drop shot and Djokovic matches him, winning the point. Then another error by Sandgren gives Djokovic the hold.
Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 3-2 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Djokovic comes to net and hits a beautiful volley winner, then watches Sandgren make another unforced error for love-30. Squeaky-bum time as the American is in danger of going down a double break. But Sandgren gets it back to 30-all, then fires in back-to-back aces of 117mph and 120mph for the critical hold.
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 3-1 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic races to 40-love, then closes out the love hold when Sandgren overcooks a forehand badly. He’s consolidated the break and the pressure falls squarely on the American.
Djokovic breaks in third game of fourth set!
Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 2-1 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Gut-check moment for Sandgren as he falls behind love-30, then 15-40. Two break-point chances for Djokovic. Sandgren brushes aside the first with a powerful cross-court backhand winner, then the second when Sandgren just misses on a forehand (which he challenges unsuccessfully). Now another error by Sandgren gives him a third break-point opportunity and this time Sandgren sends a forehand flying and it’s Djokovic who draws first blood in the fourth.
Updated
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 1-1 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic with another comfortable hold. Strangely muted atmosphere on Ashe, but the longer Sandgren sticks around the bigger potential for the crowd to get into it.
Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 0-1 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Sandgren falls behind 15-30 on his serve, but hits a lunging volley winner for 30-all. A missed backhand for Djokovic followed by an ace and Sandgren holds in his opening service game of the fourth. Sandgren just going for more on his groundstrokes with less passive positioning on the baseline over the last half hour and it’s paid off handsomely.
Sandgren wins third-set tiebreaker; Djokovic leads 6-1, 6-3, 6-7!
Third set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 Sandgren
Djokovic, serving first, misfires badly from the baseline and Sandgren is up an early mini-break. Sandgren pounds a 124mph ace, then crushes an inside-out forehand winner and leads 3-love. Djokovic then, somehow, retrieves a drop-shot volley from across the court for a tightly angled winner and he’s on the board, but Sangren responds with a winner and he leads 4-1 with the next two serves in hand. Another winner from Sandgren on the approach and he’s leading 5-1 as the players change ends. Now Sandgren booms a 104mph ace and he’s got five set points. Djokovic saves the first when Sandgren nets a forehand, but he misfires on a forehand and Sandgren wins the third-set tiebreaker, 7-2!
Third set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-6 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Sandgren holds and we’re headed to a third-set tiebreaker.
Updated
Third set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-5 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Another crisp service game with wonderful shotmaking by Djokovic and he’s held at love. Sandgren to serve to force a tiebreaker.
Third set: *Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 5-5 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Djokovic fights to 30-all on Sandgren’s serve and he’s two points from the match. Now Sandgren misfires on a backhand and Djokovic has match point, but Sandgren saves it in style with a delicious forehand that paints the line for deuce. Moments later he’s out of the game with the hold.
Third set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 5-4 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
It’s a stress-free hold for Djokovic, who is now within touching distance of the finish line. Sandgren to serve to stay in the tournament after the changeover.
Third set: *Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 4-4 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Easy hold at love for Sandgren, who’s not going down easily. Eight winners this set for the American compared to two for Djokovic.
Third set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 4-3 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
More unforced errors from Djokovic, which leave him visibly frustrated, but he’s playing from in front for the entire service game and holds comfortably.
Djokovic breaks in sixth game of third set!
Third set: *Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 3-3 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Big hitting from both players and they’re locked at 30-all. Sandgren catches Djokovic unawares on the baseline and tries a tightly angled drop shot that misses by a whisker and now Djokovic has a break point. And he’s broken right back when Sandgren nets a forehand from the baseline. Brutal. Back on serve in the third.
Sandgren breaks in fifth game of third set!
Third set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 2-3 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic falls behind love-30 and there’s a swell of applause for the homestanding Sandgren. Now Djokovic misses wide with a forehand and Sandgren has three break points, his first since the opening set. And Sandgren only needs the first! Djokovic nets a volley and Sandgren has a break at love. Wow. Four quick points, four misses by the two-time US Open champion and the American has broken for the first time all night. Can he back it up?
Third set: *Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 2-2 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Last-chance saloon for the wilting Sandgren, who quickly falls behind 15-40 on his serve and gives Djokovic a pair of looks at a break point. Sandgren saves the first when Djokovic dumps a backhand into the net during a baseline rally, then the second when he does the same with a forehand. Moments later he’s escaped with the crucial hold and we remain on serve in the third.
Third set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 2-1 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Sandgren is able to force it to 30-all from love-30 down, but he nets a forehand and misfires on a return and Djokovic holds solidly.
Third set: *Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 1-1 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Sandgren holds comfortably and conjures a highlight-reel moment with a devastating cross-court backhand winner on the run for 40-15. But until he’s able to make headway on Djokovic’s serve, there’s nothing to write home about.
Third set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3, 1-0 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic continues where he left off in the second set, serving with pace and accuracy and giving Sandgren no quarter. A love hold as the players change ends.
Djokovic wins second set and leads 6-1, 6-3!
Second set: Djokovic 6-1, 6-3 Sandgren
A couple of loose points for Sandgren on his serve and suddenly he’s love-30 down and Djokovic is two points from the set. Sandgren fights back for 30-all, but mixes in a double fault at the worst time to gift Djokovic a set point. He saves it, then a second, then a third, but finally Djokovic breaks through when Sandgren nets a forehand from the baseline. The American did play better in that set, but Djokovic cleaned up his game significantly with 10 winners against four unforced errors (compared to 13 and 16 for Sandgren, respectively).
Second set: Djokovic 6-1, 5-3 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic backs up the break with another comfortable hold, capped by a volley winner which Sandgren tries (unsuccessfully) to recover and return with a tweener. Few if any of them have been holds at love, but so rarely has Djokovic fallen behind on his serve that if feels like he’s rarely been challenged with the ball on his racket. Sandgren now will serve to stay in the second set.
Djokovic breaks in seventh game of second set!
Second set: *Djokovic 6-1, 4-3 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
With Sandgren serving at 15-30, Djokovic finds himself in a lengthy rally and closes it with a powerful forehand winner from a step inside the baseline. That gives him a pair of break points, but he needs only one after Sandgren misses wide on a forehand and challenges it unsuccessfully.
Second set: Djokovic 6-1, 3-3 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic comes to net to retrieve a well-placed drop shot early in the rally and Sandgren puts away a passing winner for love-15. Glimmer of hope for the American? He’s able to force it to deuce, but Djokovic serves his way out of trouble, including his fourth ace of the night, and they remain on serve in the second as the match hits the hour mark.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-1, 2-3 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Sandgren holds but he’s made to work for it, aided by a few missed backhands by Djokovic. Now the American is hustled off court for a quick change of kit. It’s sweltering out there even with the breeze and both men are soaked.
Second set: Djokovic 6-1, 2-2 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is dialed in now. Another easy hold for the Wimbledon champion, who’s gotten 36 of 44 first serves in (82%) and not really given Sandgren much of a chance.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-1, 1-2 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Sandgren holds at love, rattling off four quick points including a 128mph ace. His easiest hold of the match and the players will change ends.
Second set: Djokovic 6-1, 1-1 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Easy hold for Djokovic, who looks far more comfortable at this stage.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-1, 0-1 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Sandgren desperately needs a drama-free hold to open the second set and it appears as if he’ll get one after racing to 30-love. Then he’s passed by Djokovic on a net approach and sends a forehand sailing for 30-all, but the American serves himself out of trouble in the next few months with his third and fourth aces of the night to hold.
Djokovic wins first set, 6-1!
First set: Djokovic 6-1 Sandgren
A bit of a scratchy service game for Djokovic but he manages to hold to take the first set, coming to net to finish it off with an elementary backhand winner. The stats might suggest a Djokovic below his best: six winners and 10 unforced errors. Yet it was enough to win 6-1 in the opener. The biggest reasons? Djokovic is putting in 82% of his first serves into play (compared to 48% for Sandgren) and managed to dial up his game on the bigger points.
Djokovic breaks in sixth game of first set!
First set: *Djokovic 5-1 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Sandgren falls behind love-15, then 15-30. Then he overcooks a forehand from the baseline and Djokovic, who’s cleaned up the errors nicely over the last few games, has a pair of break points. On the first Sandgren misses on a two-handed backhand from just inside the baseline, giving Djokovic the break and an opportunity to serve for the first set.
First set: Djokovic 4-1 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Sandgren standing so far behind the baseline on Djokovic’s serve now. He manages to win the first point, but Djokovic rattles off four quick points for the easy hold from there and consolidates the break. Djokovic’s accuracy on his first serve so far is an ominous sign for the American.
Djokovic breaks in fourth game of first set!
First set: *Djokovic 3-1 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
Early hint of trouble for Sandgren, who wins the opening point but is passed on the approach for a winner and then nets a forehand deep into a rally and finds himself behind 15-30. Then he double-faults for 15-40 and Djokovic has his first break-point chance of the night – and pair of them. Sandgren saves the first with a booming first serve that Djokovic can’t return into the court, but Djokovic capitalizes on the next point and has the early break.
First set: Djokovic 2-1 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
A relatively stress-free for Djokovic from 30-all, but he’s made eight unforced errors in three games. Not the cleanest start.
First set: *Djokovic 1-1 Sandgren (*denotes next server)
A shaky opening service game from Sandgren, who is missing more first serves than he’s making and suddenly finds himself at deuce from 40-15. Some push-pull from there but he’s bailed out by a few Djokovic errors and finally holds on the third game point. Sandgren looking a bit tentative along the baseline and wary of coming in when he’s got Djokovic in a bit of trouble in the rallies. He’ll need to take his chances if he hopes to upend the odds against the two-time champion tonight.
Updated
First set: Djokovic 1-0 Sandgren* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic won the toss and has elected to serve first. A long rally on the first point and Djokovic blinks first with an error. Another missed forehand early in the second point and Djokovic is behind love-30. Now a 19-shot rally and it’s Sandgren who overcooks a forehand on the run, sending a running forehand wide. But another miss by Djokovic sets up double break point for Sandgren. Djokovic saves the first when Sandgren frames a shot badly from the baseline, then the second with a booming serve that a flailing Sandgren can’t return into the court. Moments later Djokovic escapes with the hold from 15-40 down, saving a pair of break points along the way.
Djokovic has compiled a win-loss record of 28-4 after a 6-6 start, highlighted by his 13th grand slam championship at Wimbledon and the title a Cincinnati, where he became the first player to win all nine Masters titles in his career.
Sandgren is 2-2 against top 10 opponents with both wins coming during his breakthrough run to the Australian Open quarter-finals in January over No 8 Wawrinka and No 5 Thiem.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to Arthur Ashe Stadium for tonight’s second-round match between Novak Djokovic and the American Tennys Sandgren. At last a cool breeze has descended on the National Tennis Center after four days of sweltering temperatures that soared above 90F even into the evening. This is only the second time Djokovic and Sandgren have met – but the second time in two majors after Djokovic’s clinical 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 win in the first round of Wimbledon a few months ago.
The players have just emerged from the tunnel and warm-ups should be under way shortly.
Bryan will be here soon, in the meantime here’s how Novak Djokovic got on in his previous match:
