New York, Sept 3 (AFP\/APP):Novak Djokovic has defeated Kei Nishikori 16 consecutive times but he’s not taking anything for granted at the US Open when it comes to his calendar-year Grand Slam quest.<\/p>\n
World number one Djokovic will face the 31-year-old Japanese star, whom he leads 17-2 in their all-time rivalry, on Saturday at the US Open to decide a berth in the last 16.<\/p>\n
A victory would move Djokovic only four matches from completing the first men’s singles calendar Slam since Rod Laver in 1969 and give him a men’s record 21st career Grand Slam title, one more than Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer, both absent due to injuries.<\/p>\n
Asked if he had Nishikori’s number, Djokovic replied with a smile, “I actually do, in my phone,” then added, “I don’t have anyone’s number on the court until I win.”<\/p>\n
Djokovic most recently stretched his domination over 56th-ranked Nishikori with a quarter-final victory at the Tokyo Olympics, although the 34-year-old Serbian star then lost semi-final and bronze-medal matches.<\/p>\n
“He’s one of the quickest and most-talented players that I’ve seen in my lifetime,” Djokovic said of Nishikori.<\/p>\n
“It’s important for me to serve well and try to take off the pace a little bit because he likes the pace. He likes to hit the ball early, protect the line.”<\/p>\n
Nishikori last beat Djokovic at Arthur Ashe Stadium in a 2014 US Open semi-final, becoming the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final, which he lost to Croatian Marin Cilic.<\/p>\n
“We had some battles, particularly on hardcourts,” Djokovic said. “He’s going to try and make me run and make my life difficult but I’ll make my shots as well.”<\/p>\n
Despite being dominated, Nishikori enoys the rivalry with Djokovic.<\/p>\n
“He’s one of the best on the tennis tour. It’s not something I love to play all the time because obviously he’s the toughest opponent,” Nishikori said.<\/p>\n
“I always love the challenge. Even though I have a bad record, I always try to be positive. I’m sure it’s going to be a tough one, but I’ll do my best.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New York, Sept 3 (AFP\/APP):Novak Djokovic has defeated Kei Nishikori 16 consecutive times but he’s not taking anything for granted at the US Open when it comes to his calendar-year Grand Slam quest. World number one Djokovic will face the 31-year-old Japanese star, whom he […]<\/p>\n
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