Novak Djokovic avoided a huge shock as he recovered from a two-set deficit to beat fellow Serb Laslo Djere and reach the US Open fourth round.
Djokovic, 36, maintained his bid for a record-equalling 24th major title with a 4-6 4-6 6-1 6-1 6-3 win in New York.
It is the eighth time in Djokovic’s career he has fought back from two sets down to win.
On how a break after the second set helped his comeback, he said: “I did a pep talk in the mirror. It worked.”
He added: “I laughed at myself because I was so agitated and annoyed with the game.
I had to force myself to lift my spirits.” Three-time US Open champion Djokovic, who is aiming to move level with Australian Margaret Court’s tally of major wins, will play Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo in the last 16.
Gojo, ranked 105th in the world, continued his remarkable run at Flushing Meadows with a 6-4 6-3 6-2 win over Czech Jiri Vesely. (BBC sport)