Novak Djokovic has ‘blended feelings’ about Cincinnati Open win as rival retires
Novak Djokovic admitted he was nonetheless shaking off some rust after Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired from their match on the Cincinnati Open. The Serb edged the primary set 6-4 earlier than the world No 23 forfeited the match as a consequence of a again damage. It meant Djokovic superior to the final 16 however the second seed had “mixed emotions” following the early finish to his first match in America since 2021.
Djokovic stepped onto the Centre Court in Cincinnati for the evening session on Wednesday as he made his return to competitors within the US following two years of journey bans. The 36-year-old had already suffered defeat in the doubles a day earlier and was trying to keep away from the identical destiny within the singles.
He had a troublesome attract Davidovich Fokina, who was coming in off the again of a semi-final exhibiting ultimately week’s Canadian Open and had already defeated the Serb as soon as earlier than. But the match didn’t finish in the way in which both participant had hoped when the Spaniard retired two factors into the second set with a decrease again damage.
The 24-year-old nonetheless managed to bother Djokovic within the first set, and the two-time former champion in Cincinnati stated he wasn’t glad to see the match finish in retirement. “It’s kind of mixed emotions tonight,” the world No 2 stated.
“I really like Alejandro. We get along really well off the court. We train a lot with each other in Spain. He had a terrific week last week, played semi-finals, played a lot of matches, played yesterday.”
Explaining the problem his rival confronted, Djokovic added: “He told me at the net it was a lower-back issue that appeared yesterday. So I think the amount of matches he’s played maybe in the last 10 days has taken the toll on his body. It’s unfortunate. I really hope he can recover and play well in New York.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion had also been playing his first singles match since losing in the Wimbledon final a month ago. There was some obvious rust as he was forced to save two break points early on but momentum shifted when Davidovich Fokina took a medical time out while trailing 3-4.
Djokovic then broke immediately to serve for the set but still had some trouble when the Spaniard broke back. Another break allowed the second seed to take it 6-4 before Davidovich Fokina forfeited the match at 0-30 in the next game.
And he was hoping to raise his level after getting just 46 minutes on the court. The 36-year-old continued: “As far as I’m concerned, obviously playing one set is better than not playing or losing I guess. So I get another chance tomorrow. (I’m) kind of shaking off the rust tonight. I feel I can always play better. Hopefully as the tournament progresses I’ll raise my game.”
Djokovic now takes on Gael Monfils, the previous world No 6 who has been mounting a comeback following foot and wrist accidents. The Frenchman made the quarter-final in Toronto final week. “It’s great to see him back after several years of struggling with injuries. He’s playing as good as ever,” the second seed stated forward of their nineteenth profession assembly.