Novak Djokovic (ATP 5) qualified in pain for the eighth of the Adelaide tournament in Australia. The Serb, seeded number 1, dominated the French Quentin Halys (64) 7-6 (7/3) 7-6 (7/5).
Long to start, the 35-year-old Serb notably lost his entry service under the eyes of a public largely won over to his cause. The winner of the last Wimbledon tournament had to wait for the 8th game, 5-2 in favor of the Frenchman, to turn the tide and head for a tie-break from which he emerged victorious.
The 2nd set was also hung, but it was once again the Serb who had the last word in the deciding game, while Halys had saved two match points at 5-4. The Adelaide tournament is a key step in the preparation of Novak Djokovic, who will seek a 10th coronation at the Australian Open in stride, after being banned last year after an imbroglio about their vaccination status.
He will leave ultra-favorite against Denis Shapovalov (18), who has lost his last 7 confrontations against “Djoko”. But the Canadian is on a good run, he who led his country to victory in the last Davis Cup.
agencies/lper