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Novak Djokovic averts back issue and Norrie revival to reach US Open fourth round

Originally posted on TennisUpToDate.com | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 11:21 PM ET

Novak Djokovic's return to action had the script of a match involving the 24-time Grand Slam champion nowadays with a medical timeout, a lost set but in the end a faltering opponent as he saw off Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 to move through to the fourth round.

Djokovic caused concern as he had to go off with a back issue but he promptly returned only to be put under the cosh by Norrie for junctures of the rest of the tie. But errors crept in and in the end it became pretty academic for the legendary Serbian. Next up is Jan-Lennard Struff at the US Open who took down Frances Tiafoe. Taylor Fritz likely then awaits in the Quarter-Final.

The first set saw Norrie serve first. He started well with Djokovic returning a first serve long and the second mirrored the first. Djokovic's start would've offered hope to the Brit. Djokovic had to wait until the second game for his point on serve. He quickly raced away after a lengthy rally sealing 1-1 with an ace.

Norrie continued to stay involved albeit he was taken to deuce by Djokovic who was dictating the play but it was a Norrie hold. This continued as both were feeling each other out in the opening exchanges. But it was Djokovic who struck first. He broke serve at 4-3.

Norrie's error came with a strewn drop shot which allowed Djokovic to carve out a break point. Norrie saved it but brought up another when Norrie ended a rally just long. Djokovic took it with an overhead to make it 4-3.

He consolidated but trouble was brewing in particular with his back albeit with Djokovic it is very much the boy who cried wolf at times with some questioning the validity of his injuries. In particular he posted MRI scans last year after doubts surrounding his pre Wimbledon injury. So theories were awash on social media as concern started around his back and perhaps whether he would even return to the court.

Spoiler alert, he did. Djokovic called the physio to the court and was spotted holding his back. He returned and then took down the set albeit was still hampered. He was 6-4 up.

Norrie's potential dream turns disaster

The second set was very much concern at the start turned into normal service resumed as Djokovic was fine until the back end of the set as he held his back and was making sighing sounds. He started voicing his displeasure to his box about his injury just as Norrie took a narrow 5-4 lead. But the issue for the Brit was despite this he couldn't find a break and had to rely on a tie-break.

Djokovic led early in said tie-break making it 2-0 but Djokovic was error strewn and Norrie upped the ante. He won a superb exchange of volleys at the net and took the lead. He made it five points in a row to claim set points but was forced to wait before a double fault handed him it anyway. 4-6, 7-6 and game on.

Norrie broke to begin set three but Djokovic broke straight back. He played the perfect return winner and hit a backhand down the line to set it up. But Norrie stayed resolute and forced the issue and mistakes out of Djokovic with a backhand into the net. Norrie though hit a long forehand and then a double fault to make it 1-1. Djokovic held and then broke again with another error from Norrie this time a backhand into the net as Djokovic surged away 4-1 up from there.

Djokovic saved his energy as he managed to find the burst he needed to make it 5-2. Norrie got the lead to try and save the set with two aces but a return winner forced deuce and Djokovic has set point after a Norrie forehand error and claimed it 6-2.

It was almost game over from there. Djokovic broke to make it 2-0 to start the next set with forehand errors creeping into the game of Norrie to hand Djokovic a free bit of initiative. He held serve as Norrie missed an overhead and Djokovic held to love.

It wasn't Djokovic at full flow but it was enough as he surged into a 4-1 lead with very little resistance coming from Norrie. Norrie didn't start well next game either but after errors, he found his game again to make it 4-2 down. But in a game of no margin for error, Djokovic wanted it done and held to love with an ace making it 40-0 before he claimed it. He surged from there sealing it 6-3 and he moves on.

Match Statistics Djokovic vs. Norrie

Djokovic	VS	Norrie
	Service
18	Aces	9
6	Double Faults	4
64% (65/102)	1st Service Percentage	70% (90/128)
83% (54/65)	1st Service Points Won	67% (60/90)
68% (25/37)	2nd Service Points Won	50% (18/36)
0% (0/1)	Break Points Saved	62% (8/13)
95% (18/19)	Service Games	74% (14/19)
	Return
33% (30/90)	1st Return Points Won	17% (11/65)
50% (18/36)	2nd Return Points Won	32% (12/37)
	Other
2h 48m	Match Duration	2h 48m