Nole is thru to the third spherical of the Australian Open after a stern check from the qualifier.
Fourth seed Novak Djokovic continued quest for tenth title in Melbourne, following a 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-0 win over Enzo Couacaud in Rod Laver Enviornment on Thursday.
The Serbian star booked himself a spot within the third spherical after three hours and 4 minutes of play.
Novak was cruising via the opening set. He broke within the fourth and sixth video games to storm to a one-set lead, closing it out with a forehand winner and an enormous serve.
Each gamers seemed sturdy on serve within the second set. The nine-time champion obtained medical remedy at 4-5, as his motion was hampered by hamstring harm. The French qualifier performed the set of his life to prevail in a tie-break and squared issues up within the entertaining contest.
From there on, Nole confirmed his greatness and dominated the remainder of the match. He performed excellent tennis to win 12 of the ultimate 14 video games, breaking 5 instances.
“Quite a bit occurred in tonight’s match,” Djokovic mentioned in his on-court interview. “Enzo deserves credit score for the battle, he performed some nice tennis, particularly within the second set. We each had medical timeouts and struggled slightly bit, however I managed to reply nicely within the third and particularly the fourth set. I really like enjoying evening classes. Let’s preserve it going.”
Talking of the hamstring, Novak mentioned: “To be sincere, it’s not good in any respect. I’ll take it daily. It was higher final match, the sensation, than tonight, however that’s all I can say, and now it’s as much as God to assist me and the physio. I hope I will recuperate and be prepared for a tricky match subsequent up.”
Match statistics: aces (9-7), double faults (6-2), winners (63-36), unforced errors (36-32), complete factors gained (145-101)
Novak goes on to face no.27 seed Grigor Dimitrov for a spot within the final 16 (9-1 H2H).
The previous world no.3 from Bulgaria beat Laslo Djere in straight units, 6-3, 6-2, 6-0.
On enjoying Dimitrov within the subsequent spherical, Djokovic mentioned: “I haven’t performed Grigor in a few years, I don’t assume we’ve ever confronted one another right here on this court docket. Hopefully it’s going to be an entertaining match, I do know him rather well, we’re buddies off the court docket. Let the higher participant win.”
The 35-year-old Belgrade native is chasing a record-tying twenty second Grand Slam trophy and can reclaim no.1 within the ATP Rankings if he wins the title.
