Djokovic wins despite ‘extreme heat’ at US Open

Novak Djokovic made it through to the US Open quarterfinals with victory over Joao Sousa one Monday, despite requiring medical assistance on another stiflingly hot day in New York.

The two-time champion beat Portugal’s Sousa 6-3 6-4 6-3 after exactly two hours, on a day when the tournament’s extreme heat policy was in place once again.

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Next up for Djokovic could be a quarterfinal meeting with Roger Federer, who will take on Australian John Millman in the late contest on Arthur Ashe Stadium court to give the fans what would be a hotly anticipated match-up.

Unseeded Sousa, the first Portuguese player to reach the fourth round of any Grand Slam, never looked a threat to progress any further as his run came to an end in two hours.

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The biggest concern for Djokovic might well have been the conditions as the heat returned after a few days of relief.

The 31-year-old Serbian sixth seed left the court at two sets and 2-1 up for a medical evaluation.

He had made easy work of the opening set, breaking Sousa twice, the second time to close out set.

Things got tougher in the second as a sluggish Djokovic laboured before again clinching the set with a break.

As the temperatures rose so did the tempers, both players engaging in animated arguments with chair umpire James Keothavong over points.

Djokovic, however, was able to keep is cool just long enough to finish off Sousa with another late break.

“I’m very happy to get this one done in straight sets,” said Djokovic.

“It was much more difficult than the score indicates. Credit to Joao, who brought an intensity to the court. It was a tough one to play.”

Earlier on Monday, Kei Nishikori outclassed Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 6-2 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals.

The Japanese 21st seed, a finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2014 and a semifinalist in 2016, fired 29 winners to end the run of veteran Kohlschreiber, who had beaten fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the previous round.

“(I was) really lucky to finish in three sets, it was really hot on the court,” Nishikori said.

“I think we both struggled a little bit with the heat.”

Nishikori face seventh-seeded Marin Cilic, which will be a rematch of the 2014 final, or Belgian 10th seed David Goffin.