Novak Djokovic Defeats Stanislas Wawrinka to Advance to US Open Quarterfinals

No. 2-seeded Novak Djokovic advanced past the No. 18 seed, Stanislas Wawrinka, on Wednesday (6-4, 6-1, 3-1) after the Swiss native retired in the third set, reaching the men's quarterfinals of the 2012 U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows.

The defending tournament champion has cruised so far, not dropping a single set in four matches.

Djokovic will face the winner of Andy Roddick vs. Juan Martin del Potro in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

The quarterfinal match is scheduled for after 7 p.m. ET on Thursday in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The current world No. 2 has now won 11 consecutive singles matches at the U.S. Open dating back to the first round of last year's tournament.

Djokovic's record at Flushing Meadows is now 37-6 in singles play, meaning that he has won slightly more than 86 percent of his matches at the U.S. Open.

The 25-year-old Serbian has advanced to at least the semifinals at the U.S. Open since 2007, and looks poised to continue his deep run in 2012.

Wawrinka will exit the year's final Grand Slam in the Round of 16 for the third time in his career.

After a career-best quarterfinal finish at the 2010 U.S. Open, the 27-year-old Swiss player fell in the second round last year. 

Djokovic is the favorite in the eyes of many to repeat as U.S. Open champion this September. 

His greatest threats are No. 1-seeded Roger Federer and No. 3-seed Andy Murray. Djokovic has defeated Federer in the semifinals at Flushing Meadows in five sets in each of the past two years.

Djokovic would not play either Federer or Murray until the men's singles final on Sunday. 

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