2023-08-17 00:38:00
CINCINNATI — Novak Djokovic reached the third round at the Cincinnati tournament following Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s injury withdrawal on Wednesday.
Second seed, the Serb led 6-4 ahead of the Spaniard, 23rd at ATP.
Djokovic had the 2-1 break advantage.
Fokina called a timeout late in the first set, having trouble on the back. Then, as the second set began, he pulled out with what may be a left knee issue.
“My feelings are mixed,” Djokovic said. I really like Alejandro. I get along really well with him off the pitch, and we train together in Spain. He told me he’s had pain in his lower back since Tuesday. It is sad. »
Djokovic is back in the United States following missing tournaments there under the rules in place during the pandemic.
His next rival will be another 36-year-old player, Gaël Monfils. The Frenchman surprised Alex De Minaur 7-5, 6-4.
Toronto champion already ousted
The Italian Jannik Sinner will not be champion of a Masters 1000 tournament for the second week in a row.
After triumphing at the National Bank Open in Toronto last weekend, Sinner fell to Serbian Dusan Lajovic in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the second round of the tournament in Cincinnati, Wednesday.
In a clash that saw lengthy rallies, Lajovic beat the No. 8 seed in two hours and four minutes.
Lajovic will now face the American Taylor Fritz (no 9), who also showed an Italian the way out by winning 6-4, 7-6 (1) once morest Lorenzo Sonego.
Sinner isn’t the only men’s seed to drop in the second round on Wednesday. Norway’s Casper Ruud (no 5) was upset 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 by Australia’s Max Purcell.
The other seeds in action on Wednesday, however, saved the honor.
American Tommy Paul (14) defeated France’s Ugo Humbert 6-1, 7-6 (4), Germany’s Alexander Zverev (no 16) beat Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in straight sets 7-5, 6-4 while Daniil Medvedev (no 3) manhandled Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-2.
Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Ben Shelton 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2).
The match went without a break. Greek Tsitsipas made just five unprovoked errors, 11 less than American Shelton.
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