Novak Djokovic vs Pablo Carreno Busta: US Open Preview and Prediction

Top seed Novak Djokovic sets up a tantalizing fourth round clash against 20th seed, Pablo Carreno Busta tonight. 

The World number 1 began his campaign with a straight-sets win over Damir Dzumhur in the first round. Despite losing the first set against Britain's Kyle Edmund in the next match, the Serb delivered a strong comeback to emerge victorious in four sets. With an impressive 16 aces and a first-serve percentage of 83, Djokovic was in total control. He outlasted Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets in the third round to win his 600th match on hard-courts. 

With a 26-0 unbeaten record this season, Djokovic looks unstoppable at the moment. 

On the other hand, Busta began his run winning a five-set thriller against Japan's Yasutaka Uchiyama. Trailing by two sets to one, the Spaniard reserved his best for the last two sets. He dispatched homeboy, Mitchell Krueger in the second round conceding just five games. Another straight-sets win followed in the third round as he defeated Ricardas Berankis. 

“He’s a very solid player, maybe doesn’t possess any big weapons, but every shot is very good, he returns a lot of balls, so I’ve got to be ready for a lot of exchanges, it’s going to be a demanding match physically and mentally," said Djokovic praising his opponent ahead of the showdown. 

Having lost in the fourth round last year, Djokovic would be gunning to do better in his quest for an 18th grand slam title. 

Head to Head record 

Djokovic leads the head to head record 3-0. He has been firing on all cylinders in 2020. The Serb must watch out for his ailing neck though. 

Having reached the semifinals in the US Open 2017, Busta has come back to the same site where the dream run originally started, he will look to play long rallies from the baseline to trouble Djokovic. 

Prediction - Novak Djokovic to win in four sets

Featured image credits: firstsportz.com