Novak Djokovic beats tough challenge from Alejandro Davidovic-Fokina at French Open 2023
Posted Date – 12:18 AM, Sat – 6/3/23
Photo: IANS
Paris: Novak Djokovic overcame a tough challenge from Alejandro Davidovic Fokina at the French Open 2023 to settle 7-6(4), 7-6 here on Friday. The 7-6(5), 6-2 score sealed the victory in the third round.
Two-time champion Djokovic withstood a flurry of hammering from No. 29 seed Davidovic Fokina in an entertaining opening set.
The Serb then took control of the third set to claim a hard-won victory in 3 hours and 36 minutes.
“I knew it was going to be a very difficult match, a very intense match,” Djokovic said after the game.
“We played three hours in just two sets. He fought well. He’s a great fighter and a great player. He has almost no weaknesses in his game. Congratulations on his fight. Luck no Okay, but he had a great game,” he added.
Now in the fourth round of the Roland Garros for the 14th straight year, Djokovic is chasing a record 23rd Grand Slam trophy and returning to No. 1 in the ATP Rankings in Paris this fortnight.
His next opponent in the French capital will be No. 13 seed Hubert Hurkacz or Juan Pablo Varillas.
“Winning is winning. The first two sets, three hours, I think if I lost the second set, I might play five hours today,” Djokovic further said.
“You have to be ready. That’s what a Grand Slam is about, two out of five. You have to believe in yourself and make the most of it. I’m proud of what I did today,” he added.
