By Chris Oddo | Monday, September 1, 2014

 

Novak Djokovic made himself at home at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Day 8, knocking off Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets.

Photo Source: Getty

Novak Djokovic, model of consistency.

Seven years ago, one would have been hard-pressed to predict that Novak Djokovic would hold the third-longest streak of consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals in men’s tennis history, but after today’s 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory over 22nd-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany, Djokovic is only five behind Jimmy Connors for second on the all-time list when it comes to reaching the last eight at majors in succession (He's still 14 behind Roger Federer's all-time record if you're scoring at home).

Day 8: Learning From the Losers, US Open Edition

“It says that I do value these tournaments the most and try to always perform my best tennis in them,” said Djokovic after the match. “Obviously motivates me for the future to continue that streak, of course. Why not?”

Playing in Louis Armstrong Stadium instead of Arthur Ashe, the world No. 1 went about his business as he usually does—with a strong performance from the ground (34 winners and 19 unforced errors) as well as a clutch performance on the big points.

Djokovic saved a set point while serving at 4-5 in the second set, and it proved to be the turning point in the match as he went on to break in the next game and serve out the set immediately after.



“It was one of the turning points of the match,” Djokovic said. “If [he] won that point, won the second set, it's pretty even.”

Djokovic would not face another break point, and he closed out the affair in hot, muggy New York conditions in just over two hours.

“Could have gone either way,” said Djokovic. "Obviously I had to run. I had to run a lot. Philipp is a tough player."

Djokovic moves on to face Andy Murray in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Murrray notched his first top ten win in over a year when he took out Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets on Arthur Ashe on Monday.

Djokovic leads the head-to-head with Murray 12-8. The Serb has taken four of the last five against Murray but lost the US Open final in 2012 to the Scot in five sets.