Novak Djokovic looked set to pull out of his third-round match against Kudla due to his long-standing shoulder injury.
The Serbian ace suffered with problems in his shoulder against Juan Ignacio Londero, despite coming through in straight sets.
And on Friday night, he looked set to withdraw from the competition entirely.
Fans were left waiting with baited breath to see if he would arrive at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic twice cancelled his practise session at the US Open before eventually taking to court after 7.40pm local time to warm-up.
Djokovic was due to practise at Flushing Meadows at 5pm local time ahead of his night session match with Denis Kudla.
But the session with American Quinnton Vega was pushed back to 6pm then 7pm.
Express Sport witnessed Vega waiting for Djokovic for over 45mins before being spoken to and leaving the court.
Vega would then walk back onto court with Djokovic’s coaches Goran Ivanisevic and Marian Vajda and they waited around 10 minutes before Djokovic arrived.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC VS DENIS KUDLA LIVE
THIRD SET (*denotes server)
DJOKOVIC 6-3 6-4 5-2 KUDLA*
Crushing Kudla backhand down the line. Then cross-court forehand winner. But Djokovic replies with a forehand winner of his own, deuce.
Djokovic forehand winner, break point. Kudla puts a backhand long and Djokovic breaks for the fourth time in the match.
He will serve for the match next.
*DJOKOVIC 6-3 6-4 4-2 KUDLA
Djokovic double fault, break point Kudla. Kudla goes long with a forehand. And he survives that little scare.
DJOKOVIC 6-3 6-4 3-2 KUDLA*
Djokovic hits a 99mph forehand winner. Wow. Credit to Kudla as he holds to keep himself in the match. Just.
*DJOKOVIC 6-3 6-4 3-1 KUDLA
The world No 1 remains supreme on serve. And his ball-striking has been as clean as ever.
DJOKOVIC 6-3 6-4 2-1 KUDLA*
Stunning cross-court forehand winner on the run from Djokovic, deuce. Kudla backhand flies long, break point.
But the American holds again.
*DJOKOVIC 6-3 6-4 1-1 KUDLA
Djokovic double fault, 30-30. And another double, deuce. A third double, gives Kudla a break point. Big serve followed by forehand winner combo from Djokovic. Deuce.
Scorching backhand winner up the line from Djokovic. But he misses with a backhand on the next point. And Djokovic holds to consolidate the break.
DJOKOVIC 6-3 6-4 1-0 KUDLA*
Djokovic has not dropped his level at all and an injection of power is too much for Kudla.
The defending champion breaks in the opening game of the set for the third time.
SECOND SET
*DJOKOVIC 6-3 6-4 KUDLA
Djokovic races to 40-0. More jaw-dropping speed from Kudla to chase down a Djokovic drop volley and flick a forehand winner.
But Djokovic gets the job done with a big wide serve.
DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-4 KUDLA*
Nicely done by Kudla as he fires a backhand winner up the line. He then goes long with a backhand on the next point. Deuce.
But he hangs tough and holds when Djokovic nets a backhand.
*DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-3 KUDLA
Djokovic nets a backhand, deuce. Incredible speed from Kudla as he flicks a forehand up the line, break point. Djokovic ace. Class.
Djokovic double fault. Kudla return into the net. That was poor. And Djokovic punishes him by holding.
DJOKOVIC 6-3 4-3 KUDLA*
Third ace of the match for Kudla and he holds to 30. He is keeping himself in this match.
*DJOKOVIC 6-3 4-2 KUDLA
Given the doubts about his condition before the match, this has been a phenomenal display so far by Djokovic. He loves to love.
He’s won 86 per cent of points on his first serve so far.
DJOKOVIC 6-3 3-2 KUDLA*
Clinical Djokovic backhand winner down the line, 30-40. And Djokovic breaks again when Kudla nets a forehand.
*DJOKOVIC 6-3 2-2 KUDLA
Djokovic holds to 30 as Kudla fails to take advantage after the Serb double-faulted at 15-30.
DJOKOVIC 6-3 1-2 KUDLA*
Two break points for Djokovic but he fails to take them. Deuce. And Kudla hangs on. Just.
*DJOKOVIC 6-3 1-1 KUDLA
Anything Kudla can do, Djokovic can do as well. The top seed holds to love in double-quick time.
DJOKOVIC 6-3 0-1 KUDLA*
Ideal start for Kudla as he holds to love. Was it the change to a red shirt?
FIRST SET
*DJOKOVIC 6-3 KUDLA
Djokovic serves out the set to love. Injury? What injury?
DJOKOVIC 5-3 KUDLA*
Good hold from Kudla. Can he put pressure on the Djokovic serve?
*DJOKOVIC 5-2 KUDLA
After a tough back-and-forth with deuces and advantages, Djokovic manages to hold his serve.
Kudla could look back on some of those break points and kick himself later in the match.
DJOKOVIC 4-2 KUDLA*
Kudla serves impeccably to hold his service game.
The American didn’t give up a single point on his way to making it 4-2.
*DJOKOVIC 4-1 KUDLA
Djokovic holds serve and still doesn’t appear to be in any troubles with his shoulder.
The Serbian is continuing to play good tennis.
DJOKOVIC 3-1 KUDLA*
Wow, Djokovic pulls out a brilliant recovery after giving up a smash shot to Kodla.
The Serbian responded brilliantly to the shot and ended up winning the break point.
*DJOKOVIC 2-1 KUDLA
The defending champion looks confident and is showing no signs of a shoulder problem.
Returning to serve, he looked flawless in regaining the lead.
DJOKOVIC 1-1 KUDLA*
Kudla responds well in his service game. Despite not having the backing of his home crowd, the American serves well to keep the opening set at a game apiece.
*DJOKOVIC 1-0 KUDLA
Shoulder injury? What shoulder injury? Novak Djokovic starts like a man possessed and easily picks apart Kudla.
The Serbian looks in complete control in New York despite speculation over his shoulder problems.