Djokovic into last 16 in 32 minutes as Youzhny quits

Djokovic won the first three games against Youzhny, who informed the umpire he was done after delivering a forehand victor to close out the sixth game.

Mikhail Youzhny, of Russian Federation, lays on the court during a medical timeout in the third round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament against Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, in NY. He received his second walkover after his opponent Mikhail Youzhny pulled out, owing to injury after just six games to allow the Serb a place in the fourth round.

The outcome completed a weird first week for world number one Djokovic.

The top seed had needed four sets to beat Jerzy Janowicz in the first round on Monday.

“This particular situation I never had in my Grand Slam career”, said Djokovic, who has won 12 major titles.

While one American impressed, there was not much joy for another as John Isner, the No.20 seed, was beaten by the impressive Kyle Edmund of Great Britain 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating Andreas Seppi, of Italy, 6-0, 7-5, 6-1 during the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, in NY.

“There were stages in my career where I was very much into it, following who says what”.

The brief encounter for Djokovic had been preceded on Arthur Ashe Stadium by women s eighth seed Madison Keys pulling off an epic comeback to beat Japan s Naomi Osaka. Keys, who said it was the best comeback of her career, has gone the distance in two of her three matches here in NY.

Angelique Kerber, the second seeded Australian Open champion who could depose Serena Williams as world number one, faces 34-year-old Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. The Spanish and Serbian pros will face in the semifinals if they win their next two matches.

John Isner, of the United States, reacts after a shot to Steve Darcis, of Belgium, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, in NY.

Australian Open champion Kerber will face two-time Wimbledon victor Petra Kvitova for a place in the quarter-finals.

Tsonga, a two-time quarter-finalist, made the last 16 with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over South Africa’s Kevin Anderson.

Stan Wawrinka (3) defeated Alessandro Giannessi of Italy 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5.

Seventh-seeded Italian Roberta Vinci, last year’s runner-up, outlasted Carina Witthoeft 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 to reach the round of 16 for the fourth time.

Kvitova was in her trademark all-or-nothing mood, mixing up 31 winners with 30 unforced errors against her 26-year-old opponent.

“As soon as she went to hit the volley it was just kind of, ‘Please, God, get to the ball or please go out, ‘” Keys said.

The 21-year-old Edmund won 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5) on Friday.

Yes, Djokovic got another free pass at Flushing Meadows, advancing this time when Mikhail Youzhny stopped because of a strained left hamstring while trailing 4-2 after a little more than a half-hour of play.