WHAT HAPPENED: After struggling against an inspired Stan Wawrinka for a little more than two sets, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic retired in set three to send the Swiss on to the quarterfinals, 6-4, 7-5, 2-1 (ret.). In a rematch of the 2016 US Open final, won by Wawrinka in four sets, the No. 23 seed was in control throughout, save for a short-lived 0-3 hole early in set two.
After a Djokovic double fault gave Wawrinka an early break in set three, the Serb pulled the plug due to a lingering left-shoulder issue, ending the night early in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The reigning US Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open champion managed to overcome the injury to win his first three matches in straight sets, but Wawrinka was too much in the Round of 16, as he further boosted his reputation as a big-match player.
"I'm super happy with the level," said the Swiss, who wisely kept his focus on his side of the net. "Sorry he had to retire to finish the game like that, but for me, most important is the way I'm playing, the way I'm moving. Tonight I think was really high-level."
Djokovic, far short of the form that saw him take four of the last five majors, hit an uncharacteristic 35 unforced errors as he struggled to keep pace with the bludgeoning baseline blows consistently coming across the net.
Four freebies gifted Wawrinka a break in the match's fifth game, and though Djokovic created three break points in the opener—including one in a 12-point fourth game that Wawrinka closed with an ace—he could not convert.
But take no credit away from Wawrinka, who delivered a major body blow when serving for the set, ending a 21-ball rally with a forehand winner to deny his opponent hope at 15-all.
The Serb was renewed at the start of set two, when he won 12 of the first 15 points for a 3-0 lead that extended to 4-1. But two double faults opened a love-30 window for Wawrinka at 4-2, and an iconic down-the-line backhand winner created two break points. In another bruising rally, this one 20 balls long on break point, Wawrinka dictated and ultimately drew an error to break Djokovic's defensive resistance.
Now reeling, Djokovic saved a break point in between two love holds from the Swiss, but he could not escape in his 5-all service game. Attacking the net in an apparent effort to shorten the points, Djokovic put two tough volleys into the net as Wawrinka took command.
After three more unforced errors and a double fault gave Wawrinka an early break in set three, Djokovic could soldier on no longer.
"I was feeling good on the court, I was playing well," said Wawrinka. "The more the match was going, the better I was playing. I was hitting the ball really hard.
"For sure I could see some little thing that he was in trouble. But I was most likely, most of the time, focused on myself because I know how well he can fight. I know how well he can come back. Doesn't matter how he's feeling on the court, and that's what I was focusing on."
WHAT IT MEANS: After a knee injury saw Wawrinka's ranking briefly drop outside of the Top 250 in 2018, the Swiss has now reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals this season. He fell victim to Roger Federer at that stage of the French Open, and is now one win away from a potential rematch with his countryman in New York.
Wawrinka will play No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday. Already a fan favorite against Djokovic, he will likely get even better backing against the Russian, who has reveled in playing the "bad guy" in his past two matches in New York. Federer plays Grigor Dimitrov in the other top-half quarterfinal.
MATCH POINT: This was the second time Djokovic and Wawrinka met in the US Open Round of 16, and both matches ended in retirement. In 2012, it was Wawrinka who bowed out after dropping two sets. They also shared a five-set semifinal battle, won by Djokovic, in 2013, as well the final in 2016. While they split their four US Open meetings, Djokovic leads Wawrinka in their lifetime head-to-head, 19-6.
