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The three-time US Open winner Novak Djokovic is through to the third round in New York for the 16th time in as many trips to the season's last Major. In the second round, the 20-time Major winner took down Tallon Griekspoor 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 39 minutes, scoring his 23rd straight victory at Majors and remaining on a calendar Grand Slam course.
Novak struggled a bit on his second serve against Tallon, but nothing serious, losing serve once and securing six breaks from ten opportunities to control the pace and move into the next round. The Serb hit 33 winners and 20 unforced errors, and the Dutch player failed to deal with that pace, finishing his best Major campaign in the second round.
Djokovic barely lost a point on serve in the opening set, delivering four strong holds and waiting for a chance on the return patiently.
Novak Djokovic is safely through at the US Open.
Griekspoor netted a forehand in the fourth game to fall 3-1 behind before Djokovic held at love with booming serves to cement the advantage.
The Serb closed the seventh game with another unreturned serve and grabbed the second break with a volley winner in the next one for 6-2 in 30 minutes. The world's best player clinched another return game at the beginning of the second set and forged a 3-0 advantage with a hold at 15 a few minutes later.
Raising his level, Tallon held with ease in games four and six to grab momentum and pulled the break back at 2-4 when Novak's backhand landed long. Staying calm, Djokovic broke at 15 in the next one to regain the lead and wrapped up the set with an ace in game nine for a massive advantage after 65 minutes.
Griekspoor delivered two holds at the beginning of the third set for some momentum before Djokovic shifted into a higher gear to leave the rival behind and cross the finish line. Novak broke at love at 2-2 and fended off three break chances with service winner in the next one to remain in front and move closer to the finish line.
Wasting his opportunities, Tallon experienced another break a few minutes later, and Novak sealed the deal with an ace at 5-2 to sail into the last 32.