Djokovic versus Nishikori United States Open 2021 round of 32

[RF-18]

Who is that girl on the far right (purple shirt) in Noles box? Never seen her before.

 

[TennisFan3]

Should they all play, then yes.

I mean he is guaranteed to face at least one for the title.
I feel that maybe Zed can lose before the SF. But I am almost 100% sure - Med will make the final.
I mean I'm happy to eat crow and be called out if Med does NOT reach the final. His draw has opened up.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

This must be nice for Kei, whatever happens.

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

Nishikori you gotta play well now our of all places?

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Errorkori in the house

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

In his effort to play down to his opponent's level, Djokovic should be careful not to play so down that he actually loses.

 

[MeatTornado]

That was the point Kei needed to win. Great ROS but lost the point.

 

[Hitman]

I mean he is guaranteed to face at least one for the title.
I feel that maybe Zed can lose before the SF. But I am almost 100% sure - Med will make the final.
I mean I'm happy to eat crow and be called out if Med does NOT reach the final. His draw has opened up.

No he is not. He is the fav, but there is no lock here for him to win it.

 

[fundrazer]

Good volley Novak.

 

[El_Yotamo]

Oh wow... netovich returns

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Lol. Lob! So Kei, hey, mini break in the tiebreak?!

 

[Mark-Touch]

Nishi don't go for too much when not necessary!

 

[BeatlesFan]

Lendl-esque lob!

 

[TennisFan3]

No he is not. He is the fav, but there is no lock here for him to win it.

Of course - I mean should Novak get to the final.
What I'm saying is that if Novak is to win the grand slam - he will have to face at least one of Zed/Med to the title.
I cannot image Novak winning without facing Zed and Med. Especially Med.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Man Nishikori's BH is SO textbook and compact

 

[Deleted member 771911]

SP Kei!

 

[celito]

If Djoko wins this TB it's over for Kei.

If Key wins this TB ... it's over for Kei.

 

[MeatTornado]

Novak simply unbalanced on too many backhands so far today.

He'll sort it out, he always does. But it's costing him atm.

 

[SteffiGoat]

Nishikori wins the first set!

 

[NoleFam]

The whole court open and you hit the ball right back to him.

 

[TennisFan3]

Lendl-esque lob!

Imagine what a beast Lendl would have been with the current racquets and string technology.

 

[El_Yotamo]

Ich-set-shikori!

 

[BeatlesFan]

Wow.... stunned Kei could actually hold his nerve and win the set.

 

[James P]

Mad man actually took the first set. Now the daunting task of stringing a couple more together.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Go Kei!
I'm still expecting Djokovic wins 6-7, 6-1, 6-4, 6-0.

 

[Hitman]

1st set Nishikori, well deserved.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Credit to nishikori. Well deserved 1st set. Novak will fight back but it’s gonna be a tough one.

 

[aman92]

Well...he has surpassed everyone's expectations already

 

[I Am Finnish]

There are no hawkeyes?

 

[Mark-Touch]

Nishi, don't stop believing!!!

 

[InsideOut900]

Novak's shots land stupidly short today. Not at all what you would expect from him.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Samurai Kei takes the 1st set like

 

[RF-18]

Djoko is just so unclutch lately. His BH has totally sucked today.

 

[ChrisRF]

Should Nishikori win here after only getting 2 games at the Olympics it would be the equivalent of Soderling beating Nadal at RG after winning just 1 game a few weeks before.

 

[TennisFan3]

Go Kei!
I'm still expecting Djokovic wins 6-7, 6-1, 6-4, 6-0.

Watch out for Novak ANGER in set 2. When he loses a set, he will come out like a wounded loin. Likely 2-3 breaks.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

1st set Nishikori, well deserved.

Agreed. Kei was the better player in the set. I hope Novak can raise it but won’t be easy.

 

[Tennis Fan States63]

I mean he is guaranteed to face at least one for the title.
I feel that maybe Zed can lose before the SF. But I am almost 100% sure - Med will make the final.
I mean I'm happy to eat crow and be called out if Med does NOT reach the final. His draw has opened up.

Shapovalov in the QF's would be a possibility.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Watch out for Novak ANGER in set 2. When he loses a set, he will come out like a wounded loin. Likely 2-3 breaks.

Yes. It's coming.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Novak simply unbalanced on too many backhands so far today.

The ball toss on his serve looks to be both short and off. He keeps reaching for his serve.

 

[Picmun]

 

[Hitman]

Agreed. Kei was the better player in the set. I hope Novak can raise it but won’t be easy.

Kei just overall was better, deserved it. Novak will need to play better if he wants to turn it around.

 

[BoxbeamsFTW]

Yay! Kei wins a set! To be fair, the last two points were poor from Novak. But a good small victory

 

[paolo2143]

Novak is clearly feeling the pressure of chasing CGS. He is tight and that is why his footwork is off. He needs to get off to good start in second set to try and loosen up otherwise he is in for a very tough time to keep his dream alive.

 

[gn]

The last time that Kei won a set against Djokovic on Outdoor HC was USO'14.

 

[ewiewp]

Nishikori improved his serves. He appears to have corrected his somewhat straight arm wind up no?

 

[El_Yotamo]

Watch out for Novak ANGER in set 2. When he loses a set, he will come out like a wounded loin. Likely 2-3 breaks.

Hmmm I have a feeling Vandalovich will be less accepted in NYC than he was in Paris

 

[TennisFan3]

Should Nishikori win here after only getting 2 games at the Olympics it would be the equivalent of Soderling beating Nadal at RG after winning just 1 game a few weeks before.

The Nadal-Soderling match is nowhere close to this. Nishi isn't even playing that well - and won the set because Novak was at his E- game.
Soderling in 2009 R4 vs Nadal played one of the best clay matches ever seen. Yes, Nadal was injured, but even then Soderling played an absolute blinder. Masterclass of aggression, dominance and even movement/defense.

 

[Third Serve]

Novak is really sloppy today. The footwork especially looks off.

 

[Standaa]

Novak simply unbalanced on too many backhands so far today.

backhand

 

[Picmun]

Watch out for Novak ANGER in set 2. When he loses a set, he will come out like a wounded loin. Likely 2-3 breaks.