Before the game started, Britain’s second-place No. Norrie said he was “prepared for anything” from the seventh seed Djokovic – including seeing his opponent fight fitness issues before regaining the level.
However, World 35 still cannot drag Djokovic into a tough physical exchange as he hoped.
Norrie briefly threatened to shock when he broke up early in the third set.
But Djokovic immediately hit a counterattack – his opponent had a double malfunction at the rest point – in the precise game that won Norrie with the precise game, which was largely trouble-free.
Djokovic has become the oldest person to reach our fourth round of the Open since 1991, 38-year-old Jimmy Connors.
“I’m still trying to find my groove. Today, I’m the best in the game,” Djokovic said.
On his fitness side, he added: “You have some ups and downs, but you don’t want to reveal too much to your competitors. I’m as young and strong as ever.”
