Heckler unsettles Djokovic as golden slam edges closer

Novak Djokovic overcame some crowd disturbance during his second round tie with Tallon Griekspoor to ease ever closer to that golden slam with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 straight sets win over the Dutchman at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The world No.1 spoke to the chair umpire about someone making noise in the middle of points, and then settled back into his customary rhythm to outlast his 25-year-old opponent.

“I came out on the court with the right intensity, with the right focus. Definitely was a better performance from my side than a couple of nights ago,” Djokovic said.

“I am motivated as ever to do well. I am trying to be the best I can be every single day and let’s see what happens.”

Djokovic said he watched his opponent against Jan-Lennard Struff a couple of days earlier and was impressed with his serve.

“So I knew I that the keys of the match, one of the biggest keys, was my return, trying to make him play, trying to make him move.”

Djokovic took out the match in 99 minutes, winning it with his 13th ace of the night.

The Serb is now just five wins from the historic golden slam, the first men’s singles calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver 52 years ago.

He will face Kei Nishikori in the third round.