NEW YORK (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic had to come from behind to beat Kei Nishikori and keep his bid for a calendar Grand Slam alive as he advanced to the U.S. Open fourth round.
The world number one overcame a loose first set to win 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-3 6-2 and beat the Japanese for the 17th time in a row.
The Serb, 34, is aiming for a men’s record 21st Grand Slam title.
He will face American Jenson Brooksby next, after the wildcard beat Russian 21st seed Aslan Karatsev in five sets.
Brooksby, the world number 99, came from behind to win 6-2 3-6 2-6 6-3 6-3 and become the youngest man from the USA to reach the U.S. Open fourth round since Andy Roddick in 2002.
Top seed Djokovic has received a mixed reception from the New York crowd but appeared to have won them over by the final point.
He asked them to give him more noise several times, cupping his ear toward the fans, and did not do his traditional ‘show of love’ celebration to the stands.
He did, however, spend some time after his post-match interview signing autographs and giving several young fans data-x-items from his kit bag.