Can the Serbian keep his Grand Slam dream alive?
Novak Djokovic will continue his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam, as he faces Jan-Lennard Struff in the 2025 US Open Round of 16. It certainly hasn’t been a smooth and electric outing for Djokovic so far. Although he cruised into Round-2, the Serbian icon was forced to dig deep to jump over his next two hurdles. However, the former No. 1 is slowly regaining his usual swagger with every passing contest.
Jan-Lennard Struff, on the other hand, is going through an unexpected run. The German qualifier has already defeated two seeded players in this event. His win against 2024 semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe, in particular, was a massive confidence boosting win. He has the serve to trouble any top player in the world; however, a lot will depend on his ability to sustain a high level during neutral rallies. As two veterans aged 35+ lock horns, let’s take a look at the predictions and odds for this match – from BetMGM.
Novak Djokovic leads Jan-Lennard Struff 7-0 in their head-to-head record.
Struff has barely come close to beating Djokovic in any of their previous matches. In fact, apart from the 2020 Australian Open, Djoker has always beaten Struff in straight sets. As a result, the odds are really stacked against Struff ahead of the US Open pre-quarterfinal.
| Year | Event | Round | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Davis Cup | Round Robin | Novak Djokovic | 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2021 | Tokyo | Round of 32 | Novak Djokovic | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2020 | US Open | Round of 32 | Novak Djokovic | 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2020 | Cincinnati | Quarterfinals | Novak Djokovic | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2020 | Australian Open | Round of 128 | Novak Djokovic | 7-6(5), 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 |
| 2019 | Roland Garros | Round of 16 | Novak Djokovic | 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 |
| 2017 | Doha | Round of 32 | Novak Djokovic | 7-6(1), 6-3 |
| Novak Djokovic | Category | Jan-Lennard Struff |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Current Rank | 144 |
| 26/9 | YTD W/L | 9/18 |
| 1 | YTD Titles | 0 |
| 1150/231 | Career W/L | 231/260 |
| 100 | Career Titles | 1 |
There is no doubt that Jan-Lennard Struff has punched above his weight at this year’s US Open. But against an opponent like Djokovic, the baseline firepower will be of extremely high importance. The Serb will target Struff’s backhand wing, and also mix up the pace to keep his German counterpart on the move. While we do sense that the match could go beyond three sets, it is unlikely that the qualifier will upset the odds.
Prediction: Novak Djokovic in four sets.
Another electric night on Ashe. Bright lights, loud music, rap royalty in the crowd. Few tough moments but NYC your energy got me through 🙌. Time to Lean Back 😆 then forward to R4. pic.twitter.com/hbypF7o3M2
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 30, 2025
Djokovic is a big favorite heading into this match per the data given by BetMGM.
(According to BetMGM: BetMGM offers exclusive promo codes, bonus deals, and accurate odds for users upon signing up. Use BetMGM to ace your betting game in all sports!)
Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
A passionate sports fan since childhood, it was always my dream to cover the peak of human potential. Baseball, Tennis, and Football (or Soccer) have been closest to my heart. From Rafael Nadal’s never-say-die attitude to Roger Federer’s beautiful backhand, I’ve seen it all. Prior to the Playoffs, I’ve worked in EssentiallySports and Pro Football and Sports Network.
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