ATP Tour
Djokovic dominates Struff, sets Fritz showdown in US Open QFs
Serbian into 14th quarter-final at Flushing Meadows
September 01, 2025
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic needs just three sets to oust Jan-Lennard Struff in the fourth round of the US Open Sunday evening.
By ATP Staff
After back-to-back four-set victories, Novak Djokovic bounced back with a quick-and-clean performance Sunday at the US Open.
Following a tricky opening week in which he faced physical concerns and tough on-court tests, the 24-time major champion easily dispatched German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 in just one hour and 49 minutes to advance to the Flushing Meadows quarter-finals for the 14th time.
“I don’t know how many more I’m going to have, so obviously each one is very special and I want to thank all you guys for being present here tonight,” Djokovic said of playing another evening session inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It was not all perfect for the 38-year-old, though. Once again, Djokovic received multiple visits from ATP physiotherapist Clay Sniteman. After the first set, Sniteman worked on the area between Djokovic’s right shoulder and neck. Following the second set, he massaged the four-time US Open champion’s right forearm.
But whatever was bothering the 100-time tour-level titlist did not hinder his play. Struff entered the match with plenty of momentum after consecutive wins against Holger Rune and Frances Tiafoe, but was unable to find his aggressive, dominating game like he did against those opponents.
Djokovic now owns 30 tour-level wins this season according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. He broke serve six times and was efficient in all areas of his game, putting enough pressure on Struff to force the German to overplay, while using his serve to stay out of trouble in his own service games.
“It definitely helps if you serve well. I think I had a great serving performance in the last round and also tonight,” Djokovic said. “I just saw the stats, I out-served one of the guys that had the most aces during the tournament this year, so that’s a great stat. Obviously that helps make my life easier on the court. Maybe I don’t need to work as hard or unnecessarily more than I have to.”
Djokovic will take a 10-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head lead into his quarter-final clash with fourth seed Taylor Fritz. The defending finalist also earned a comprehensive fourth-round victory on Sunday, ousting 21st seed Tomas Machac in just one hour and 38 minutes.
The two Top-10 stars in the PIF ATP Rankings have not met since last year’s Rolex Shanghai Masters. Djokovic has won 23 of the 26 sets they have played.