Published January 19,2024
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Novak Djokovic lastly hit his stride on the Australian Open on Friday as he despatched Argentine Tomas Etcheverry packing 6-3 6-3 7-6 (2) within the third spherical and marched into the second week of the event for the sixteenth time.
The 10-times champion, who was dragged into dogfights within the first two rounds, gave a masterclass in clear and scientific tennis for 2 units as he picked aside the 24-year-old Argentine in his a hundredth match at Melbourne Park.
Etcheverry had seen off 36-year-old Andy Murray within the opening spherical and 37-year-old Gael Monfils within the second, however discovered the 36-year-old Djokovic an altogether totally different prospect.
The thirtieth seed was unable to land a punch on the 24-times Grand Slam champion, who confronted not a single break level, till a flurry within the third set that lastly gave the gang the competition they needed.
Djokovic, the highest seed and reigning champion, clearly didn’t need to play a fourth set as he continues to battle with a cold-like ailment and raced via the tiebreak and into the fourth spherical of a Grand Slam for the 63rd time.
“It was the best performance during this tournament and obviously I’m pleased with how I played throughout the entire match, particularly in the first two sets,” mentioned the Serbian, who hit 34 winners over the match.
“He stepped it up in the third set … (but) in the tiebreaker I found the right shots, the right serves and closed it out in straight sets.”
The first week of a Grand Slam for prime seeds is to start with about getting via towards eager lower-ranked gamers seeking to snatch the limelight with an upset.
At the Australian Open, there may be additionally the balancing act of wanting sufficient time on court docket to get correctly match match after the low season break and needing to preserve vitality for the business finish of the event.
Djokovic in all probability expended extra vitality than he needed within the first two rounds however on Friday at all times appeared like he was answerable for the match, even when Etcheverry got here again at him on the finish.
Next up for Djokovic is France’s Adrian Mannarino or American younger gun Ben Shelton, who had been locked in a five-set contest on Kia Arena.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
