Serbia’s Novak Djokovic demonstrated his distinctive fortitude as he triumphed over the younger and proficient French Luca Van Assche, recovering from a disconcerting one-set deficit to safe a 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-2 victory throughout his inaugural Banja Luka match on Wednesday.
The world No. 1 squandered three set factors within the opener earlier than Van Assche took the tie-break, however Djokovic broke twice within the second set to drive a deciding set.
He dropped serve immediately to start out the third set however then broke Van Assche twice in a row, with Djokovic greedy management to ultimately put away his 18-year-old opponent.
“It wasn’t easy. This probably will rank as the slowest court and slowest conditions I’ve ever played in. I didn’t expect this to be so slow,” stated Djokovic.
“I couldn’t put any ball past him. He was on every single ball for a set and a half until I started to get some rhythm going and some tempo.”
He added: “I’m happy with the way I finished the match. Of course, I can always play better but a win is a win.”
Djokovic praised his opponent as a “very promising player.”
“He (Van Assche) has a bright future ahead of him, especially on this surface, he is very fast and agile,” the 35-year-old stated.
“It’s normal to expect that new, young players will emerge, generational change is a normal thing in every sport, but I didn’t want to lose to an 18-year-old. It was definitely an additional motivation for me.”
Former French Open junior champion van Assche, the youngest participant on the planet’s high 100 at No. 87, had served Djokovic ample warning of his potential by beating Stan Wawrinka in spherical one.
Djokovic stated Monday his elbow was not in “ideal condition” following a third-round exit final week on the Monte Carlo Masters, throughout which he was damaged eight occasions by Lorenzo Musetti.
After Wednesday’s match, Djokovic stated his elbow was “fine… holding up well.”
“These conditions are not ideal for joints and my elbow… but I am glad that I managed to endure. I am healthy and eager for new victories.”
Van Assche earned the primary break of the match for a 5-4 lead however didn’t serve out for the set. He then saved three set factors at 5-6 earlier than ultimately taking a shock lead.
For the second set Djokovic disposed of the black compression sleeve on his proper arm he additionally wore in Monaco, sweeping via with out providing Van Assche a single break alternative.
Despite falling behind to start the third set, Djokovic recovered swiftly and sealed victory after two hours and 38 minutes.
During Wednesday’s press convention, Djokovic additionally talked about, jokingly, a doable future profession as a coach.
Asked whom he wish to coach, Djokovic replied, smiling: “(Nick) Kyrgios,” with whom he as soon as had an icy relationship.
“If I could coach Kyrgios, he would probably win five Grand Slams. But it would cost him a lot of money, too much money.”
The world No. 1 Serb, who’s bidding for a report twenty third males’s Grand Slam title on the French Open subsequent month, will play countryman Dusan Lajovic or Gregoire Barrere of France within the quarterfinals.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
