Djokovic wins despite pain of shoulder injury

Novak Djokovic needed extensive treatment on a shoulder injury during his second-round win over Juan Ignacio Londero at the US Open.

The defending champion and world No 1 came through a tough encounter in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-1, despite falling a double break behind in the second.

He admitted: “It was definitely affecting my serve and my backhand. I was definitely tested. This is something I have been carrying for quite a while now. It wasn’t easy playing with the pain but you have to find a way.

“I had some luck in the second set. I’ll move on, it’s not the first time I have faced this challenge. Now I’ll probably freeze my arm for 48 hours.”

Serena Williams, pictured, won her first US Open two years before Caty Mcnally was born – and she had to use all her experience to avoid crashing out to the 17-year-old.

Williams, the 23-time grand slam winner and last year’s runner-up, was staring at a major upset against her fellow American, who had the 37-year-old on the ropes when she took the first set.

But Williams dug deep in a dramatic late-night session to win 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.

“She showed no fear, she had nothing to lose and she played like it,” said Williams. “It’s refreshing. I don’t get to play players like that too often. In the first set she was picking out my wide serve, but I have two other serves so I tried them. I survived tonight (though) I’m not too pleased with the way I played. But I’m still alive and I’ll do better, I promise.”

Top seed and defending champion Naomi Osaka breezed into the third round yesterday.

The 21-year-old from Japan beat Poland’s Magda Linette 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 11 minutes.

However, former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has been knocked out after losing her secondround match.

The sixth seed from the Czech Republic was beaten in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, by Andrea Petkovic of Germany.