FAN’S VERBAL VOLLEYS LEAVE NOVAK RAGING
NOVAK DJOKOVIC had more trouble with a mouthy spectator than with Tallon Griekspoor as he set up a third-round US Open clash with Kei Nishikori.
The No.1 seed kept his quest for a calendar year Grand Slam on track with a 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory over Dutchman Griekspoor.
But it was a clash with a fan who continually called out as the Serb was playing a shot that caused him most stress.
Djokovic stared down the spectator at the end of the first set and was eventually forced to complain to the umpire about the interference.
The Serb said: “That guy, for some reason, was calling, raising the sound and kind of screaming just before I would hit my smash, which was a big point. Before that, he would do it a few times.
“That wasn’t nice. That’s all. I don’t mind the noise. Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s important for the entertainment, for the crowds, the music. I get it.
“But if someone does it over and over again, particularly when you are at his side, he knows why he’s doing it. The guy that I pointed out, he knew exactly what he was doing.”
Djokovic has won all 23 Grand Slam matches he has played this year but insisted Japan’s Nishikori, who has fallen to No.54 in the world, will give him his toughest test to date at Flushing
Meadows. He added: “I lost I think last time here [to Nishikori] in New York in the semis in 2014.
“Historically, his most successful Grand Slam is here.
“He’s one of the quickest and most-talented players I’ve seen in my lifetime.
“It’s important to serve well and try to take off the pace a little bit because he likes the pace.
“He likes to hit the ball early, protect the line. But I know his game well.”