Djokovic Works For Straight-Sets Win, Faces Blake Next

© Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic closes out a straight-sets win over Philipp Petzschner.

Two days after surviving a scare in his opening match at the US Open, World No. 3 Novak Djokovic closed out a 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6) win against German Philipp Petzschner on Thursday night at the US Open.

Djokovic looked on his way to a straight-sets victory as he broke for a 4-3 lead in the third set, but dropped serve for the first time in the match in the ensuing game.

He continued to keep things interesting as he failed to capitalise on two match points at 6-4 in the tie-break, committing a double fault and a missed forehand, but clinched the two-hour, 23-minute victory at the third time of asking as Petzschner’s return sailed long.

“It was very shaky at the end of the match, but I was very fortunate to hold on,” 2007 finalist Djokovic admitted to the crowd afterward.

Buy Tickets | TV Schedule

The Serbian, who improved to a perfect 6-0 record in night matches at the US Open, next goes on to face fan favourite and two-time quarter-finalist James Blake in the third round. Blake rallied past Canadian qualifier Peter Polansky 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to win consecutive matches for just the second time since making his comeback from a knee injury this past June.

“James always plays well here,” said Djokovic. “He's been so many years on this level, winning against a lot of top players. He knows how it feels like to play on a big stage in important matches. He's a very aggressive player, and I have no doubt that he's going to have that mindset when we step on the court. He's going to try to take the ball early, and I have to be ready for that.”

The two players previously faced off in the bronze medal match at the Beijing Olympics, won by Djokovic in straight sets.

Petzschner’s doubles partner Jurgen Melzer, who watched Thursday night’s match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, enjoyed a better outcome in his second-round match as he prevailed against Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 in three hours and 35 minutes.

The 13th-seeded Melzer will play 2003 finalist and No. 22 seed Juan Carlos Ferrero for a place in the fourth round after the Spaniard eased past Brazilian Ricardo Mello 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. Ferrero had dropped just four games in his opening match against Slovakian Martin Klizan.

In a three-hour, 51-minute battle, South African qualifier Kevin Anderson went the distance to defeat 26th-seeded Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci 6-7(4), 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(2).