Novak Djokovic, right, embraces Mariano Navone after Navone won their match. (AP Photo)
For Mariano Navone, the 25-year-old ranked No. 49 in the world, it was more than staring down a legend who had a 37-0 career record in first and second rounds of the US Open. Navone, a clay-courter, adapted well on Sunday, particularly on the backhand side, to clinch his first five-set win in five matches, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Because you have chances to win against him, “It’s tough to play against him like this,. “But then I won a set and then a third one. It’s the first time I won a five-set match.
The back just gave up, in the end it was the shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out,” Djokovic said. The Serbian superstar said giving up did cross his mind. Then I was, like, okay, maybe there is a chance,” he said. This moment we will remember for a long time,” Navone said. “I understood he wasn’t feeling very good,” he said.
NEW YORK CITY: A champion’s challenge faded into the night as his body caved in on Arthur Ashe, while a younger pro kept his head and superbly pieced his game together to find a way. There was heroism on both sides of the net on the US Open’s opening Sunday. The compactly built Argentine produced a stirring level of tennis, backed by a firm resolve. “It’s something that I’ve been carrying into pretty much every match this year. Vomiting, it’s a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. “I was a break up in the fourth, but struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match. “I didn’t want to give up in fourth or fifth, I wanted to finish the match. “I never played on the Arthur Ashe, I never played against Novak before. “For me, the mental part was the best one. I was two sets to one down, and then a break down also in the fourth, but in that moment I feel it. My game was better from there. I had to keep my mind in the moment, in my game, and the important things on my side. That’s the best thing I did.”