The 38-year-old’s four-set victory makes him the oldest man to reach the last 16 at Flushing Meadows since American Jimmy Connors in 1991. It is also his 192nd career win at a hard-court Grand Slam, breaking Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record.

It wasn’t just plain sailing for Djokovic, though. The Serb struggled with a lower back injury in the opening set and needed a medical time-out off the court. The four-time US Open champion also called for more medical attention three games into the next set.

The match, which lasted two hours and 50 minutes, was his best in the tournament so far. After the match, he told a media conference he is still trying to find his groove and rhythm on the court.

‘It’s good that I get tested’

“I guess coming into the match, any match, you really want to win in straight sets without any drama and just ease through, but that's not possible."  

This is Djokovic’s first tournament since losing to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon last month.

“My team wants me to suffer on the court so I can get some more minutes spent in match play. It’s good that I get tested. I hadn’t played any matches since Wimbledon, and it’s been for us quite a long time, five to six weeks.”

He also had a warning for his younger rivals.

Norrie, on the other hand, admitted to BBC Sport that maybe he had underestimated the former World number one.

“I started great in the third set, but was maybe a little overconfident after breaking. He settled into the match after that, competed well, and was just too good in the end."

Djokovic will play 35-year old German Jan-Lennard Struff – who beat the 17-seeded American Frances Tiafoe in straight sets – in the fourth round.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg