Top-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic fought through shoulder pain to reach the third round of the rain-hit US Open on Wednesday while Roger Federer shook off another slow start to advance.
Djokovic, winner of four of the past five Slam titles and 16 in all, was treated for a sore left shoulder throughout his 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 victory over Argentina's 56th-ranked Juan Ignacio Londero.
"It was definitely affecting my serve and backhand," Djokovic said of his shoulder injury. "I was definitely tested."
"It's not the first time I'm facing this kind of adversity or challenge. It is what it is and I'm just grateful to be on the court."
Djokovic won't play again until Friday and until then, "I'll probably freeze my arm for 48 hours, not do anything with it and see what happens."
"I didn't expect to hit 15 to 20 unforced errors, which is basically the entire set just sort of donated... I clearly have to play better from the get-go."
"I want to congratulate Londero for showing a fighting spirit," Djokovic said. "It was a real fight."
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