US Open Betting / Barry Millns / 03 September 2007 /

Sky Sports' Barry Millns takes a look at how the young Serb has got this far and who will cross his path over the next few days

As Boris Becker once said fifth sets are not so much about forehands and backhands as about heart. There is no doubt that Novak Djokovic showed plenty of that in his epic 67 76 57 75 76 second round victory against Radek Stepanek at the US Open.

A marked man now after his back-to-back wins over Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in Montreal, Djokovic took nearly five hours to see off the unorthodox Czech. Although the world No.3 had eased his way past Dutch lucky loser Robin Haase in the first round, he looked tight right from the start against the serve and volleying Stepanek, who had won their previous encounter in a third and final set tiebreak.

Unable to play at his best for the most part of this marathon, needing treatment for muscle soreness and cramps, Djokovic struggled with his backhand and rarely hit his forehand through the court as well as he did when claiming his fourth title of the year in Montreal. The 20 year-old Serb also served below par and was frequently rushed by the oncoming Stepanek, who never allowed him to settle into a rhythm.

But having twice fought back from a set down to draw level Djokovic ultimately showed he had the nerve to win and was rightly proud of doing so. It was character-building stuff and what will have delighted him and his coach Marian Vajda is the way Djokovic came out two days later and dismissed the challenge of Argentine teenager Juan Martin Del Potro in straight sets.

Aside from being broken when serving for the match the Serb's game was sharper all round, his first serve percentage improved from 54% to 74% and his movement lightning fast when it had to be. Now backed at odds of 2.2 to reach the final, they are slightly shorter than Nadal's odds of 2.3.

But before getting another crack at the Spanish world No.2 in the semis, Djokovic must deal firstly with the Argentine Juan Monaco (12), having won their only encounter two years ago at Wimbledon. Monaco, who also made the fourth round of the French Open this year, has not had to face a seed in New York so far.

If Djokovic makes it through that he will then face either former world No.1 Carlos Moya (10) or the un-seeded Latvian teenager Ernests Gulbis (25). A jaded Djokovic lost to Moya in Cincinnati two days after his Masters triumph in Montreal - but here he will be far better prepared to face the Spaniard if required.

If Gulbis (who crushed Tommy Robredo) challenges him instead, Djokovic will face a new opponent who hits the ball as hard as just about anyone, has good speed and shot selection. Up to now Gulbis has shown no fear on court but he has never been this far before in a grand slam and, for my money, Djokovic will prevail whoever he faces before the semis.

There he should meet Nadal, who moved and played much better in his third round win against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, after struggling through his first two matches with patella tendonitis in both knees. It could be one of the best matches of the tournament and if Djokovic triumphs again, as I think he might, then his current odds (7.4) to take the title off Federer (1.45) are certainly tempting.

Yet the world No.1 has performed admirably again in defence of his crown and will be far harder to beat over best of five sets than best of three. As Stepanek said following his exit, Djokovic is playing some "incredible tennis" but we should still give him "a little bit of time".

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