Novak Djokovic missed playing big US events and is excited to be back in Cincinnati
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Cincinnati Masters at Lindner Family Tennis Centre on Aug 16.
PHOTO: AFP
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CINCINNATI – Novak Djokovic said he missed playing in the biggest tournaments in the United States and was thrilled to be back, after easing to victory in his first singles match there in two years at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion was not allowed to compete in the US
Playing singles in Cincinnati for the first time since winning his second title in 2020, the 36-year-old Serb won the first set 6-4 against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who later retired with a back issue.
“Time flies. Three years seems like it was yesterday. So it’s definitely nice to be back,” said Djokovic. “I’ve had some really nice memories from this tournament.
“Winning it in 2018 obviously is a highlight for me, because it was the only Masters I hadn’t won for years. I think I lost four or five finals, mostly to Roger (Federer).
“But I played well in the past and was really glad to have a chance to come back to the States. I missed it. Some of the biggest tournaments in our sport are played on American soil. I’m just excited to play some tennis.”
World No. 2 Djokovic, who lost the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz
The 2021 New York runner-up last competed on hard courts in March and said it was too early to rate his form on the surface after a rusty first match back.
“Some positives, some negatives. But at the end of the day, it’s expected. First match coming back,” said Djokovic, who will meet fellow veteran Gael Monfils next.
“It’ll probably take a few sets for me to really get things going in a right way.”
On his next opponent, who is also 36, the Serb said: “He’s an amazing guy, someone I truly respect and like a lot as a person.”
“He brings so much joy to the fans, so much entertainment. He’s one of the most charismatic players we’ve had in the last two decades on tour and he’s playing better than ever,” added Djokovic, who holds an astounding 18-0 record against the Frenchman.
Earlier, Serb Dusan Lajovic upset world No. 6 Jannik Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to reach the third round.
The 66th-ranked Lajovic struck 20 winners to claim his fourth win over a top-10 player in 2023. He next faces American Taylor Fritz, who beat Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-6 (7-1).
Sinner won his first Masters 1000 title on Sunday in Toronto but was unable to keep the momentum going.
“I obviously knew that it was going to be tough because whenever you are playing somebody who is in great form and has a lot of confidence, they play well in the important moments,” Lajovic said.
Former champion and third seed Daniil Medvedev cruised past Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-2, breaking the Italian twice in each set and winning 82 per cent of his first-serve points en route to victory.
Australian Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas dropped only three first-serve points to beat American Blake Shelton 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2) and set up a meeting with Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, who ended Borna Coric’s title defence.
“We didn’t play a lot of rallies today, which was difficult to get into the rhythm,” said Tsitsipas. “He was serving big today, he wasn’t giving me a lot to work with and I had to hang in there, wait for my chances.”
Meanwhile, veteran Swiss Stan Wawrinka turned back the clock to overpower American Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4. The 38-year-old put on a vintage performance and delivered his 11th ace on match point for his 27th win of 2023.
Next up for the three-time Grand Slam champion is a first time meeting with Max Purcell, after the Australian upset third seed Casper Ruud in three tight sets to reach the round of 16. REUTERS
