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NEW YORK -- Well into the fourth set, he sat slumped in his changeover chair, a towel draped over his head, apparently lost in some sort of Zen trance.In fairness, the past two months of Novak Djokovics 2016 season have been tumultuous, to say the least.After completing his career Grand Slam at Roland Garros, the No. 1-ranked Serb was bounced in the third round of Wimbledon, saw his private issues set off a tabloid feeding frenzy and lost in the first round at the Rio Olympics. Upon his arrival in New York, he acknowledged a recurring left wrist injury.But amid the chaos, Djokovic still has an opportunity to make a special kind of history: With a title here at the US Open, he and Roger Federer would be the only men to win three Grand Slam singles championships in a single season -- three different times. Djokovic and Rod Laver are the only ones besides Federer to do it twice.So, one of the leading questions of the fortnight: Can Djokovic check all that baggage at the door and focus on the daunting task at hand? Will he even be in the building when the finals and, presumably, the momentum-aplenty Andy Murray roll around?The early returns, as it were, were inconclusive. In the first US Open night match under Arthur Ashe Stadiums new roof on Monday night, Djokovic never looked completely comfortable in taking out Jerzy Janowicz 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.There was, of course, drama -- how could there not be? Djokovic called for the ATP World Tour trainer in the first set to work on his right arm and, on a few occasions, grabbed at that offending limb. And then, Janowicz ran off with the second set. But Djokovic, scuffling, scrambling, sneakers squeaking under duress, bore down and produced a thoroughly professional win. There was even a sneaky serve-and-volley that helped nail down the third set.When it was over -- 2 hours and 37 minutes after it began -- Djokovic looked weary and quite relieved. The first on-court question concerned his health.Thank you for staying this late, Djokovic told the crowd. It was hard to put up a show after Phil Collins.And then he broke into a song, I Cant Dance, made popular by the drummers former band, Genesis. Collins performed on opening night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.I cant dance, I cant talk, Djokovic sang. The only thing about me is the way I walk.Sorry, sorry. I had to do it. I promised myself Im going to do it.Djokovic did not address his wrist and arm injuries until prodded a second time.Look you know, its never easy to play at this level throughout the year, he said eventually. There are days and weeks when youre not feeling youre 100 percent.I dont think its necessary to talk about this now.There will be plenty of time for that before Wednesdays second-round match against Jiri Vesely, who beat Djokovic in their only meeting, earlier this year in Monte Carlo.Ultimately, this was a predictable first-time result -- an outcome actors Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon, fashion designer Vera Wang, former boxer Mike Tyson and chef Emeril Lagasse probably came out to see -- between players who are ranked No. 1 and No. 247 in the world.Djokovic has never, ever lost a Grand Slam match to a player ranked outside the top 100; he pushed his record to 33-0. The winner of the seasons first two Slams, the Australian Open and French Open, Djokovic is a scalding 52-5 for the year.Janowicz, on the other hand, has yet to win an ATP-level match this year. A surprise Wimbledon semifinalist three years ago, the 25-year-old Pole was forced to sit out between January and July with knee and back injuries.The 2007 junior finalist has lost his past five Grand Slam singles matches and is still looking for his second career US Open win. But there were real flashes that suggest hell soon be competitive again.When it was over, Djokovic slowly walked toward the net with an exceptionally somber expression on his face. Even his signature celebration to all four corners of the arena seemed to take unusual concentration and effort.Djokovic finds himself the defending US Open champion and seeks his third title overall. Hes now a sparkling 20-1 in Arthur Ashe night matches at the US Open.I feel like when I step in here, its in a dark tunnel but there is always a light, Djokovic said. At Arthur Ashe, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.Right now, that light looks awfully far away. NCAA Jerseys China . 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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- After losing back-to-back home games to Western Michigan and to Illinois State to begin the 2016 season, Northwestern knew it would be pressed to qualify for a bowl game.But including Saturdays 45-17 victory at Purdue, the Wildcats (5-5, 4-3 Big Ten) are within one victory of bowl eligibility, having carved their path by posting a 3-1 record in conference road games.In addition to Purdue, they also have won at Iowa and at Michigan State.Clayton Thorson passed for a career-best 352 yards and three touchdowns, and Northwestern scored 31 second-half points on its way to an easy victory at Purdue (3-7, 1-6), which has lost five in a row by an average margin of 21.2 points.Thorson, who also ran for a touchdown, completed 23 of 36 passes, including five for 92 yards and two touchdowns to wide receiver Austin Carr, who tied the school single-season record with 12 TD receptions.Every time we came out in the second half, we were just licking our chops to get another good drive going, Carr said. We were clicking on all cylinders. And of course, a bowl is a huge motivator. We viewed these last three games as a three-game playoff.Austin Jackson rushed 22 times for 127 yards and a touchdown, and John Moten IV had 16 carries for 119 yards, marking the first time since Sept. 14, 2013 against Western Michigan that two Northwestern backs rushed for more than 100 yards in the same game.The receivers were getting open, but the offensive line was playing really well, Thorson said. There were only one or two times that I was rushed to even make a throw.Thorsons third touchdown pass -- a 42-yarder to Garrett Dickerson on the first play after an interception by linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. -- gave Northwestern a 28-10 lead with 11:13 remaining in the third quarter. The Wildcats steadily pulled away.Finishing with 605 yards of offense, Northwestern outscored Purdue 31-7 during the final 30 minutes.We didnt start the way we wanted, obviously, but you need to credit Purdue for that, Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald said. We kneew we would get a fast start from them.dddddddddddd We talked about the first series of the second half being really important. Obviously, depth is important, especially when you see a couple of their defensive starters out.Northwestern spotted Purdue a 10-0, first-quarter lead, then scored the opening halfs final 14 points to lead 14-10 through 30 minutes. Purdue lost its fifth in a row.The Wildcats extended their lead to 21-10 on Justin Jacksons 14-yard touchdown run, capping a seven-play, 71-yard drive.We certainly are not happy with the second half result, Purdue interim coach Gerad Parker said. This isnt what the Purdue football program should be about, especially in our home stadium.Purdue quarterback David Blough completed 21 of 36 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown, but he was intercepted three times, setting up 17 Northwestern points.I simply missed my spot on the first interception, Blough said. Thats the frustrating part, and they capitalized. It hurts. All three of my turnovers led to points. We have not executed well, and it seems to happen at the same point in games. We have been in positions to have success in the second half, and we have not done it.TAKEAWAYS:Northwestern: Needing two victories in their final three games to become bowl eligible, the Wildcats scored touchdowns on each of their first four second-half drives and pulled away from the struggling Boilermakers. Northwestern gained 557 yards during the first three quarters.Purdue: Playing without their two best defenders -- Jake Replogle (concussion) and JaWhaun Bentley (leg) -- the Boilermakers defense was no match for Northwesterns balanced offense and fell to 0-15 in November games during the four most recent seasons.UP NEXT:Northwestern: The Wildcats travel to Minnesota on Nov. 19 for their final Big Ten road game.Purdue: The Boilermakers will play host to No. 7 Wisconsin on Nov. 19 in their final Big Ten home game. ' ' '