6-1, 5-1 collapse at Open; Djokovic opts for home over hotel

vak Djokovic has earned more than $140 million in prize money over his accomplished career, plus plenty of or millions in endorsement deals, so re wasn’t much of a question in his mind when possibility was offered to rent a private home during U.S. Open.

cost? $40,000. convenience? Priceless.

“As soon as re was a chance for us to choose to be in a house, we took it right away -- without thinking. I’m gl we did,” top-ranked Djokovic said after improving to 25-0 this season and reaching U.S. Open’s third round with a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Kyle Edmund on Wednesday.

“Any player h that opportunity. It’s t privilege of top guys or girls. Anyone that wanted to spend money and stay in house, he or she could have done that,” Djokovic said. “I kw re’s very few players that have chosen to stay in a house, but it is a personal choice.”

Most players competing at Flushing Meows amid coronavirus pandemic this year opted for official tournament hotel options. U.S. Tennis Association paid for one room for each player, who n would need to pony up if y wanted a second for members of ir entour.

Serena Williams and Milos Raonic were among eight players who, like Djokovic, opted for one of Long Island homes USTA me available inste.

Why did Djokovic go that route?

“Well, I think it’s obvious. Being in a hotel, you’re unable to open window in room. You constantly have to be with a mask indoors, outdoors, everywhere. You can’t really go out, spend time in garden, maybe, outdoors,” he said. “I saw hotel. hotel is t in a best position in terms of having nature around. It’s very close to highway.”

COMEBACK OR COLLAPSE?

Well, this was quite a comeback ... or quite a collapse.

Depends on point of view.

. 30 seed Kristina Mlevic served for victory while leing 6-1, 5-1 against Varvara Gracheva in second round of U.S. Open -- and t only couldn’t close deal re or when she held four match points soon reafter, but also somehow, some way, she lost match.

Eventually, Gracheva -- a Russian who is ranked 102nd and is a month past her 20th birthday -- came all way back to win 1-6, 7-6 (2), 6-0.

“Definitely,” Mlevic said, “ most painful match and loss I’ve h in my career.”

Her match points came while ahe 5-2 in second set as Gracheva served. Three came at love-40, and ar came at -Out. Mlevic never got that close again.

Gracheva will move on to meet . 8 seed Petra Martic for a berth in fourth round.

“She was brave and she went for it,” Mlevic said about her opponent, who is participating in her first Grand Slam tournament.

“From 5-2, slowly I started feeling like I was crashing down,” Mlevic said. “I just collapsed. I h thing left in tank.”

Mlevic was one of players who were allowed to remain in tournament but were placed under stricter COVID-19 protocols after y came in contact with Beit Paire, 17th-seeded Frenchman who tested positive for coronavirus.

After her first-round win, Mlevic said whole episode was hrd to deal with.

After what happened Wednesday, she said: “Physically and mentally, I’m completely completely drained. It’s just worse and worse.”

ANYBODY'S GAME

Shelby Rogers pulled off an upset, even though she doubts re is such a thing se days in women’s tennis.

Rogers defeated . 11-seeded Elena Rybakina in second round of U.S. Open on Wednesday, 7-5, 6-1. Ar unseeded American, 20-year-old Ann Li, pulled off an even bigger shocker by beating . 13-seeded Alison Riske 6-0, 6-3.

Given depth in women’s game and year’s disruptions due to coronavirus pandemic, such results are surprise, Rogers said.

“Maybe it’s belief. Maybe it’s opportunity,” Rogers said. “But I think playing field is even w. It’s anybody’s game any day. I joke around that I don’t believe in upsets anymore. I think anybody can win on any day. It’s pretty amazing.”

By vancing to third round, Rogers matched her best showing at U.S. Open. She’s ranked 93rd.

Li, who is ranked 128th, w has two career victories over players ranked in top 75, and wins have come in her two matches this week.