US Open 2021: Novak Djokovic beats Kei Nishikori to reach fourth round – as it happened | Sport

That’s all for today. Thanks for following along with us and be sure to join us for more minute-by-minute coverage as the tournament moves forward.

“It was a really amazing match to be a part of, a great experience,” Djokovic says. “Big credit to Kei, who played at a very, very high level today. Tough luck for him but he deserves a round of applause. I always knew that he possesses a lot of qualities. He’s been on the tour for quite a few years, but I must say that he did surprise me with his level today. He was playing very quick. It was tough. Even though I won three, three and two (in the) second, third and fourth sets, I felt like all the sets were quite close. A few points really decided the winner today. So a huge congratulations for a great fight to him.”

Asked to assess his level, Djokovic offers a typically thoughttful response.

“I don’t think I started off very well,” he says. “I was quite passive. I was too far back in the court. He was dictating the play. I was still trying to find the rhythm, find the tempo. Obviously he played much quicker and more aggressive than my opponents in the opening rounds did, so it took me a little bit of time to adjust to his game.

“I think beginning of the second set I already felt like I’m getting the groove back, I’m getting that rhythm back. I was very pleased with the focus. Maybe at some points I wasn’t at my best, but overall I was determined, I was concentrated and that’s what matters in the end.”

Fourth set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 Nishikori

Djokovic goes down love-30 on his serve, but gets it back to 30-love with a lovely forehand volley at the net followed by a 108mph second-serve unreturnable. Two points from the finish line. Djokovic goes 30-40 and break point down, but saves it for deuce and then wins the next point for match point. Djokovic misfires on a forehand and we’re back to deuce. Another Djokovic miscue gives Nishikori a second break chance, but Djokovic saves it with a backhand winner. A backhand error by Nishikori then gives Djokovic a second match point and he lets that one slip away too, netting a forehand early in the rally. He then cracks a 125mph aces down the middle for match point number three and this time he converts with a second serve that Nishikori can’t return into the court! It’s over after 3hr 32min and Djokovic is into the US Open fourth round!

Djokovic breaks in seventh game of fourth set!

Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 5-2 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Nishikori falls behind love-15, then 15-40 and double break point down. These are effectively match points and Djokovic needs only one as Nishikori chips in another unforced error off the backhand. Nishikori is broken for the seventh time today and Djokovic will serve for a spot in the last 16 after the change of ends.

Fourth set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 4-2 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic goes down love-15 on his serve but backs up the break of serve in emphatic fashion, closing out the hold with his 12th, 13th and 14th aces.

Djokovic breaks in fifth game of fourth set!

Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 3-2 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Djokovic wins a gruelling 26-shot rally with a backhand winner before Nishikori mixes in a couple of unforced errors to go love-40 down on his serve. Three break-point chances for Nishikori. He saves the first with a big 106mph serve that Djokovic can’t return and the second with a forehand winner directly set up by the serve. But Djokovic converts the third when Nishikori overcooks a running forehand. Could that be the decisive blow?

Fourth set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 2-2 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic overcomes an unforced forehand error and double fault to otherwise hold fairly easily. All square at 2-all in the fourth.

Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 1-2 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

And Nishikora answers with a stress-free hold of his own, capping it with a crisp backhand winner from the baseline.

Fourth set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 1-1 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic rolls through his opening service game of the fourth set.

Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 0-1 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Another nervy moment for Nishikori as he goes down 30-40 on his serve to open the fourth. But from there he goes forehand winner, 93mph ace out wide and 112mph service winner to the body to get out with the hold.

Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 Nishikori

Djokovic races out to 30-love, then 40-15 for double set point. Nishikori chucks his racket to the court in disgust. Djokovc squanders the first with an unforced error off the forehand, but converts the second when Nishikori sends a backhand sailing past the baseline. Third set to Djokovic in 54 minutes and he’s a set away from the last 16.

Djokovic breaks in eighth game of third set!

Third set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 5-3 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Nishikori fights back to 40-30 from love-30 down on his serve, but makes another unforced error off the backhand side for deuce. A fourth unforced error of the game for Nishikori then gives Djokovic a break-point chance … and Djokovic converts when Nishikori nets a forehand on the approach early in a rally. Djokovic will serve for a two-sets-to-one-lead.

Nishikori breaks in seventh game of third set!

Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 4-3 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic races out to 40-love on his serve, but Nishikori answers with his 28th, 29th and 30th winners of the day for deuce. Nishikori then outlasts Djokovic in a 14-stroke baseline rally for break point … but Djokovic saves it with a backhand winner down the line before jogging around the court and urging the crowd to make more noise. Nishikori then overcooks a volley, but Djokovic follows with a double fault after rolling the dice on a big second serve for deuce again. Now a second straight double fault for Djokovic gives Nishikori another look at a break … and this time Djokovic sprays an inside-out forehand wide! Djokovic is broken from 40-love up and we’re back on serve in the third!

Third set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 4-2 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

It’s a second straight drama-free hold of serve for Nishikori, but he will need to make headway on Djokovic’s serve if he hopes to reverse the direction of this one.

Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 4-1 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic backs up the break in stress-free fashion. Can Nishikori get his teeth back into this third set?

Djokovic breaks in fourth game of third set!

Third set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 3-1 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Nishikori goes down love-30 on his serve, wins a quick point, then double-faults for 15-40. Two break-point chances for Djokovic. Nishikori saves the first with a forehand winner at the net, but flinches on the second with a misfired backhand passing shot. Djokovic noses ahead in the third.

Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 2-1 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic is pushed to deuce on his serve from 40-15, but rattles off two quick points to hold.

Third set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 1-1 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Another slog of a service game for Nishikori, who saves a break point at 30-40 but goes on to hold.

British qualifier Emma Raducanu is through to the last 16 of the US Open after a remarkable 6-0, 6-1 win over Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in 70 minutes. The 18-year-old advances to face the winner of tonight’s first night-session match between world No 1 Ashleigh Barty and the American Shelby Rogers.

The youngest player remaining in the women’s singles has pocketed $265,000 for reaching the fourth round at Flushing Meadows, nearly doubling her career earnings going into the tournament ($303,376).

Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 1-0 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic holds comfortably to open the third set, crunching his ninth and 10th aces along the way.

Djokovic breaks in ninth game of second set!

Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3 Nishikori

With Nishikori serving at 40-30, Djokovic hits crisp forehand winner for deuce. He then rattles off two quick points for the break that gives him the second set. And over on Court 17, Emma Raducanu has won the first 11 games for a remarkable 6-0, 5-0 lead over Sara Sorribes Tormo.

Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 5-3 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic race to a love hold in a brisk 58 seconds bookended by aces down the middle of 121mph and 117mph. Nishikori will serve to stay in the second set.

Second set: *Djokovic 6-7, 4-3 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Nishikori is pushed to deuce a few times on his serve but escapes with the hold. Meanwhile, the Raducanu train hasn’t slowed down in the second set: she’s already broken Sorribes Tormo’s serve for a 6-0, 2-0 lead.

Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 4-2 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic holds from 15-40 down. It’s the second straight service game where he’s faced a break point but he’s held firm each time.

Second set: *Djokovic 6-7, 3-2 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Nishikori holds comfortably, capping it with a backhand forehand volley winner.

Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu has just broken Sara Sorribes Tormo at love to take the first set, 6-0, and move one set from the last 16 of the US Open on her main-draw debut. A remarkable performance so far from the teenager, who has won 90% of her first-serve points and seeing the ball incredibly well, getting 23 of 26 returns in.

Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 3-1 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Now Djokovic double-faults to go down 15-40 on his serve, giving Nishikori a couple of break-point opportunities. But Nishikori squanders them both with a pair of unforced errors for deuce. Djokovic then misfires on a forehand to give Nishikori a third look at a break point but Djokovic saves it with a 115mph unreturnable serve. A forehand winner by Nishikori gives him a fourth break chance, but Djokovic saves that one, too. Then a fifth! And finally Djokovic escapes with the hold in a service game that spans 14 points and nearly 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu is off to a flying start on Court 17. After breaking Sorribes Tormo for a second time, she’s just held at love to consolidate and leads 5-0 in the opener in under a half hour.

Djokovic breaks in third game of second set!

Second set: *Djokovic 6-7, 2-1 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Nishikori falls behind 15-40 on his serve, giving Djokovic a pair of break-point chances. He saves the first but Djokovic converts the second with a perfect backhand passing shot with both players at the net, screaming to the crowd in jubilation.

Meanwhile on Court 17, Emma Raducanu held in her opening service game, then broke Sorribes Tormo in a marathon 16-point second game for a 2-0 lead. Raducanu came up empty on her first two break-point chances but converted on the third with a sharply angled backhand on the 20th shot of a baseline rally that Sorribes Tormo couldn’t get back over the net.

Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 1-1 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic breezes to a comfortable hold for 1-all. Both players seem to be hitting a heavier ball in the early stages of the second set.

Second set: *Djokovic 6-7, 0-1 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Nishikori is pushed to 30-all in his opening service game of the second set, but Djokovic follows with yet another unforced error off his backhand side then holds with his 13th winner of the day (against 17 unforced errors).

First set tiebreaker: Djokovic 4-7 Nishikori

Djokovic makes his 13th unforced error on the backhand side (out of 20 overall) to go set point down and Nishikori wastes no time, converting it with a tricky 94mph first serve that Djokovic can’t return into play. First set to Nishikori!

First set tiebreaker: Djokovic 4-5 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

After both men hold their serves for the first eight points, it’s Nishikori who finally breaks through with a gorgeous lob winner as Djokovic comes to net that brings the Ashe Stadium crowd to its feet!

First set tiebreaker: Djokovic 3-3 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic and Nishikori swing ends having held their serve throughout the first six points of the breaker. Elsewhere on the grounds, the emerging British star Emma Raducanu has just taken Court 17 for her third-round match with Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo. We’ll have an eye on that one and keep you updated.

First set: Djokovic 6-6 Nishikori

Nishikori holds at love and the opening set will be settled by a tiebreaker.

First set: Djokovic 6-5 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic holds at love, capping it with back-to-back aces of 118mph and 122mph. Nishikori will serve to stay in the first set and force a tiebreaker after the change of ends.

First set: *Djokovic 5-5 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

An uncomplicated hold for Nishikori and we’re all square at 5-all in the first.

First set: Djokovic 5-4 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Another comfortable hold for Djokovic, who’s won 12 of 15 points on his serve since he was broken early in the set.

Djokovic breaks in eighth game of first set!

First set: *Djokovic 4-4 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Nishikori falls behind love-30, then 15-40 on his serve to go double break point down. And he gifts Djokovic the break when he sends an attempted drop shot from the baseline into the net.

First set: Djokovic 3-4 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic coasts to another stress-free hold, pounding his third ace along the way.

First set: *Djokovic 2-4 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Nishikori is forced to deuce on his serve, then goes break point down. But he brushes it aside with a 111mph ace down the middle and is finally able to hold after nine and a half minutes and 14 points.

First set: Djokovic 2-3 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic flies through a hold at love, cracking his first ace of the day along the way, but still trails by a break as we move forward in the opening set.

First set: *Djokovic 1-3 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Nishikori goes down love-15 on his serve, but wins the next four points capped by a 96mph ace out wide to comfortably back up the break.

Nishikori breaks in third game of first set!

First set: Djokovic 1-2 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic falls behind love-30 on his serve after an unforced backhand error followed by his second double fault of the day. Now another unforced error off Djokovic’s backhand gives Nishikori three break-point chances. Djokovic saves the first, but converts the second with a sharp angled forehand early in a rally that Djokovic can’t return into play.

First set: *Djokovic 1-1 Nishikori (*denotes next server)

Nishikori double-faults to start his opening service game. Then levels at 15-all when Djokovic blinks first at the end of a 27-shot baseline rally. Djokovic hits a backhand winner on the next point, then Nishikori makes an error off the forehand side to go double break point down at 15-40. Nishikori saves them both, the second on after a remarkable all-court rally that ends when the Japanese star slots a forehand volley winner. From there Nishikori holds with a pair of service winners.

First set: Djokovic 1-0 Nishikori* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic rattles off three quick points in his opening service game before double-faulting, then follows with a second serve to the body that Nishikori can’t return in play for the straightforward hold.

Hello and welcome to Flushing Meadows for today’s third-round match between Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori. The best player in the world and top seed in the men’s draw is back in Arthur Ashe Stadium as he continues his quest for a record-setting 21st major championship and the first calendar-year grand slam by a men’s player since 1969.

Nishikori scored one of the iconic wins of his career when these two last met at the US Open in the 2014 semi-finals, but the former world No 4 has failed to defeat Djokovic in their 17 meetings since. In all, Djokovic is 17-2 against Nishikori with 16 straight wins – one shy of the longest win streak of his career against an opponent (17 v Gael Monfils).

The players have just emerged from the tunnel on to Ashe for their warm-up and we should be under way shortly.