For the first time this year at the U.S. Open, Novak Djokovic inched closer to looking more like himself in his third-round match.

Having not participated in a competitive singles match since Wimbledon and securing two lackluster victories to start the year’s final Grand Slam, he managed to achieve a 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3 win over Cameron Norrie on Friday night in almost three hours.

However, there were still crucial hiccups from the 24-time Grand Slam winner that could have thrown off the match against a stronger opponent. 

“My team wants me to endure tough matches so I can accumulate more time in match play,” Djokovic told ESPN after the victory. “It’s beneficial that I am being challenged. Having not played any matches since Wimbledon, I am still working on finding my rhythm.

“I think this is the best I’ve played so far in the tournament.”