US Open 2024: Novak Djokovic vs Laslo Djere preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (2) Novak Djokovic vs Laslo Djere
Date: August 28, 2024
Tournament: US Open 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 64)
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $75,000,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN, RDS
Novak Djokovic vs Laslo Djere preview
Defending champion Novak Djokovic will face compatriot Laslo Djere in the second round of the US Open 2024.
Djokovic commenced his title defense against qualifier Radu Albot. The Serb cruised through the opening set as he bagged five games in a row to take the lead. He broke his opponent's serve to go 2-1 up in the second set, only to get broken in the next game.
However, Djokovic got back on track, reeling off the next four games to nab another set. The third set was a bit more competitive, though the defending champion never looked to be in danger. A lone break of serve proved enough for him to score a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win.
Djere was drawn against World No. 35 Jan-Lennard Struff in the first round. Neither player got a whiff of a break point in the opening set, which eventually went the German's way in the tie-break.
Djere responded strongly to it as he claimed the second set, conceding only one game. He overcame a break deficit in the third set, and held a couple of set points on Struff's serve at 6-5, only to fumble them. The Serb then led 6-2 in the tie-break, and let go of another five set points as his opponent snatched the set from him.
The fourth set featured plenty of back and forth between the two as Djere let go of his lead on three occasions. He broke Struff's serve for the fourth time to go 5-4 up and closed out the set in the next game. There were no dramatic moments in the decider as the Serb comfortably raced to the finish line to complete a 6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2 comeback win.
Novak Djokovic vs Laslo Djere head-to-head
Djokovic leads Djere 2-0 in the head-to-head. He won their previous encounter at last year's US Open in five sets.
Novak Djokovic vs Laslo Djere odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Novak Djokovic vs Laslo Djere prediction
While Djokovic eased past Albot in his opener, Djere had to fight till the end to edge past Struff. It marked the latter's sixth win at the ATP level this year, and his second on hardcourts.
Both of their previous matches have gone the distance, including one at last year's US Open. Djere had his compatriot on the ropes in the third round after taking a two-set lead but Djokovic staged a comeback to prevail.
Djere has been in rather poor form this season, and while he has been able to challenge Djokovic in the past, that may not be the case this time. Expect the defending champion to roll through this round as well.
Pick: Novak Djokovic to win in straight sets.