Novak Djokovic advances in Cincinnati after Davidovich Fokina retires due to injury. Wishing you a speedy recovery! @alexdavidovich1 💙 @CincyTennis | #CincyTennis
Djokovic secures spot in third round as Davidovich Fokina withdraws in Cincinnati Open
ATPThursday, 17 August 2023 at 02:25
Novak
Djokovic advanced to the third round after the withdrawal of Alejandro
Davidovich Fokina at the Western & Southern Open.
World No. 2
returned to play a match exactly one month after his defeat in the Wimbledon
final against Carlos Alcaraz. After withdrawing from the Canadian Open due to
muscle fatigue, seeking rest before the US Open, Djokovic arrived in Cincinnati
for his sole preparation tournament ahead of the fourth Grand Slam of the year.
Davidovich
Fokina reached the semifinals of Cincinnati last week but fell to Alex de
Minaur. Nevertheless, he accumulated a series of victories over strong
opponents like J.J. Wolf, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Mackenzie
McDonald.
This week,
he advanced through the first round against Argentine Tomás Etcheverry and
faced Djokovic, with whom he held a 2-1 head-to-head advantage, all matches on
clay.
In the
opening set, both players exhibited strong play to keep the score level in the
early games. After reaching 4-3, Davidovich Fokina experienced discomfort and
went to the locker room for treatment by the physiotherapist.
Upon his
return, Djokovic secured a break against the visibly ailing Spaniard, who made
gestures while serving. Djokovic had a favorable service game to claim the set,
but Davidovich's resistance provided hope as he broke back.
Encountering
difficulties in his service game again, Davidovich Fokina conceded the set to
Djokovic with a score of 6-4. The Spaniard started the second set but requested
retirement after the first game, unable to continue the match against the
23-time Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic
advanced to the third round and will face 36-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils,
who is experiencing a resurgence since returning to the ATP tour. This week,
Monfils defeated 13th seed Cameron Norrie and then dispatched Alex de Minaur in
the second round. Monfils has an unfavorable head-to-head record against
Djokovic, with a 0-18 record, their last meeting being in the 2022 Madrid Open.
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