Novak Djokovic roars back from 2-set hole, tops Laslo Djere at US Open - ESPN

NEW YORK — Everyone should know by now to never count out Novak Djokovic. No matter how big a deficit he faces. No matter how poorly he might be playing.

And so it made sense that Djokovic would manage to come all the way back from a two-set deficit to beat Laslo Djere 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the third round of the US Open, avoiding what would have been his earliest exit there since 2006.

«Trust me,» Djokovic said, «it was nerve-racking all the way until the last shot.»

The match began under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night and did not wrap up until more than 3 1/2 hours later, concluding just after 1:30 a.m.

Djokovic advanced to the fourth round, where he'll face Croatia's Borna Gojo.

It was Djokovic's eighth career victory after dropping the opening two sets of a match. Before Friday, Djokovic was 1-6 at the US Open when losing the first two sets, with the lone win coming against Roger Federer in the 2011 semifinal.

Once he seized control, he held on tight and never let Djere recover. In the crucible of a fifth set, Djokovic was cool as can be, collecting 12 of the initial 14 points to leave no doubt how this would go.

«Of course, winning a match is always better than losing a match. It's as simple as that,» Djokovic said. «I think the message is sent to the rest of the field that I'm still able to play five sets deep at night and coming from two sets down always sends a strong message to the future opponents. But at the same time, I'm not really wanting to be in this position to be honest. I prefer a straight set win.»

Djokovic, who improved to 38-11 in five-setters over his career, has won three of his men's record 23 Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows and been the runner-up a half-dozen times,