All eyes are on Arthur Ashe Stadium this Sunday night as tennis icon Novak Djokovic squares off against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in the highly anticipated fourth round of the 2025 US Open. The match, set for a 7:00 PM Eastern Time start, has captured the imagination of tennis fans everywhere, with broadcast coverage available across ESPN2, Fubo, DIRECTV, and various streaming platforms. For Djokovic, this is more than just another match—it's another step in his relentless pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. For Struff, it’s a golden opportunity to continue his remarkable run and pull off yet another giant-killing upset.
Djokovic, now 38 years old and seeded No. 7, has had to dig deep to reach this stage. He’s battled through three tough matches, including a challenging encounter against Zachary Svajda where he dropped the first set and looked physically taxed. According to the Associated Press, "Djokovic appeared to be laboring physically early in the match, as he was at times in his first-round victory. But after getting broken to fall behind 3-1 in the third set, he finally began looking like the player who has won a men’s-record 24 Grand Slam titles, including four of them in New York." That resilience propelled him to a four-set victory and kept his perfect record in the opening rounds of the US Open intact—an impressive feat, considering he’s reached the third round in all 19 of his appearances in New York.
But this isn’t the Djokovic of his prime. The Serbian superstar has shown signs of vulnerability, dropping sets to both Zachary Svajda and Cameron Norrie, and requiring medical timeouts to manage nagging injuries. Still, he’s managed to outlast opponents often half his age, leveraging his vast experience and indomitable will. The road hasn’t been easy, but as Djokovic himself has suggested, he remains confident in his ability to disrupt the recent dominance of younger stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. And let’s not forget—Djokovic has his eyes set on a possible semifinal showdown with Alcaraz, a tantalizing prospect for tennis fans worldwide.
Standing in Djokovic’s way is Jan-Lennard Struff, a player who’s making headlines for all the right reasons. Currently ranked outside the top 100, Struff is enjoying the best Grand Slam run of his career. After coming through qualifying, he stunned the 11th seed Holger Rune in a marathon five-setter that lasted three and a half hours, then followed it up with a dramatic win over 17th seed Frances Tiafoe. Those back-to-back upsets have made Struff the tournament’s surprise package and earned him a spot in the fourth round of the US Open for the very first time.
Struff’s path to this stage has been anything but straightforward. Each victory has been hard-fought, and his ability to thrive under pressure has made him a fan favorite. The German’s aggressive style and powerful serve have proven effective against higher-ranked opponents, and he’ll be hoping to bring that same energy against Djokovic. After all, what’s one more upset when you’re already on a roll?
Yet, the head-to-head history between these two players paints a daunting picture for Struff. Djokovic holds a commanding 7-0 record over the German across all surfaces, including hard courts. Their most recent encounter came at the 2021 Davis Cup Finals, where Djokovic prevailed in straight sets. That said, every match is a new opportunity, and with the way Struff has been playing, who’s to say he can’t push Djokovic to the limit this time?
The match will unfold at the iconic USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, with the world’s largest tennis stadium providing the perfect stage for this high-stakes clash. Fans in the United States can catch every moment live on ESPN2, with streaming available via the ESPN app, ESPN+, Fubo, DIRECTV, and Sling TV. For those without cable, free trials and discounted streaming options are widely available, ensuring no one misses out on the action.
As anticipation builds, the storylines swirling around this matchup are as compelling as ever. Djokovic, the tireless champion, is pushing back against Father Time, aiming for history even as physical challenges mount. Struff, the underdog with momentum on his side, is relishing his role as the disruptor, eager to extend his best-ever Grand Slam campaign. It’s a classic confrontation: experience versus momentum, legend versus long shot.
Looking back at their journeys to this point, both players have had to overcome adversity. Djokovic’s run has been defined by grit and determination, with flashes of brilliance reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the greatest to ever play the game. Struff’s path has been about seizing the moment, playing fearless tennis, and believing in his ability to compete with the world’s best. The German’s victories over Rune and Tiafoe were not just upsets—they were statements of intent.
Tonight’s match is more than a battle for a quarterfinal berth. For Djokovic, it’s a chance to edge closer to an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam, solidifying his place in tennis history. For Struff, it’s an opportunity to etch his name into the record books and inspire countless fans with his underdog story. With the match scheduled for prime time and the tennis world watching, the atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium is sure to be electric.
So, what can fans expect? While Djokovic enters as the clear favorite, given his impeccable record against Struff and his legendary status, nothing is guaranteed in the world of Grand Slam tennis. Struff’s recent form suggests he won’t go down without a fight, and if Djokovic’s physical struggles resurface, the door could open for another upset. As one prediction aptly put it, "Despite a lop-sided head-to-head record, expect Struff to challenge Djokovic and push this to four sets."
As the players warm up and the crowd settles in, all eyes turn to the court. Will Djokovic’s quest for history continue, or will Struff’s fairytale run add another thrilling chapter? One thing is certain: with so much on the line, fans are in for a night of high drama, big serves, and unforgettable moments.
With the match underway and the outcome still very much in doubt, tennis enthusiasts everywhere are glued to their screens, eager to see who’ll seize the moment under the bright lights of New York. Stay tuned—this is one showdown you won’t want to miss.
