Djokovic enjoys stress-free win in US return at Cincinnati

AFP

Novak Djokovic loved a stress-free return to US competitors following a two yr absence, after second-round opponent Alejandro Davidovich Fokina was compelled to retire after dropping the primary set 6-4 on the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday.

Djokovic has not competed within the US for the reason that 2021 US Open ultimate and was subsequently denied entry into the nation as a result of he’s not vaccinated towards COVID-19.

He was removed from his greatest in his 46 minutes of motion, going through break factors at 1-1 earlier than serving his method out of bother.

Davidovich Fokina took a medical timeout away from the court docket to are likely to a decrease again situation whereas trailing 3-4 and when he returned his motion was restricted and he was damaged at love.

Handed the chance to serve out the set towards the ailing Spaniard, Djokovic performed an uncharacteristically sloppy recreation, dumping a forehand into the online at hand the break again.

But the 23-time main winner recovered, flicking a forehand crosscourt passing shot within the subsequent recreation to seize the opener.

In the primary recreation of the second set, Davidovich Fokina took a step that additional aggravated his again damage and shortly after walked to the online to shake fingers with Djokovic.

“It’s great for me to be able to come back to the court and to win a match but obviously mixed emotions with the way it finished,” mentioned Djokovic.

“Nevertheless I’m hoping I can build my form day to day and progress through the tournament raising my level.”

Up subsequent, Djokovic is assembly with the resurgent Gael Monfils, who beat Alex de Minaur in straight units earlier within the day.

“He’s an amazing guy, someone I truly respect and like a lot as a person,” mentioned Djokovic, who holds an astounding 18-0 document towards the Frenchman.

“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.”

Djokovic, who has seen followers pack into his follow session and who performed in a doubles match on Tuesday, could possibly be on a collision course on the US Open tune-up with world primary Carlos Alcaraz, who bested him within the Wimbledon ultimate final month.