In a long-awaited return to the Cincinnati Masters since 2019, world No. 2 Novak Djokovic marked his comeback with a victorious start. He clinched the opening set 6-4 against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. However, the match took an unexpected turn when Fokina was forced to retire due to injury just at the beginning of the second set.
This match marked the fifth encounter between Djokovic and Fokina, with Djokovic leading the ATP head-to-head 4-1 due to retirement. Djokovic, who previously triumphed at the Western & Southern Open in 2018 and 2020, now set in New York, is set to face Gael Monfils in the upcoming round on Thursday.
Djokovic shared his thoughts on the win, stating, “It’s not the way you want to win, especially for the audience. Fans anticipate a competitive match. While it’s satisfying for me to return to the court and secure a victory, mixed emotions arise from the way the match concluded. Nonetheless, I’m aiming to elevate my performance step by step and progress in the tournament.”
Fokina’s match took a difficult turn as he took a medical timeout late in the first set due to a back issue. Unfortunately, he couldn’t continue, and with just 46 minutes on the match clock, he retired early in the second set due to the injury.
Despite a challenging start where Djokovic saved two early break points, he found his rhythm against Fokina, taking control of the baseline exchanges. Fokina’s medical timeout occurred at 3-4 in the set, and the final three games saw shifts in serve.
Djokovic’s impressive record continues, as he boasts a 48-1 record in his opening rounds since the start of the 2019 season. In the Round of 16, he is set to extend his flawless 18-0 tour-level record against Monfils.
This US appearance is significant for Djokovic, marking his return since the 2021 US Open final. He had been unable to enter the US due to strict vaccine protocols that mandated Covid-19 vaccination for international travellers.
-IANS
