Novak Djokovic feels like the hard work is starting to pay off. Trying to regain his best form after a slow start to the season, Djokovic looked sharp in his opener at the Madrid Open 2022 on Tuesday, defeating Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-2 to advance to a third-round match against Andy Murray. (More Tennis News)
바카라I would probably rate it as the best performance of the year. I felt very good on the court,바카라 the top-ranked Djokovic said after saving all five break points he faced and converting the three he had against the 21st-ranked Frenchman.
It was the Serbian바카라s 18th straight win over Monfils. The match was interrupted at 2-2 in the first set as rain forced the roof on center court to be closed.
바카라Just generally very, very good performance,바카라 he said. 바카라I바카라m very pleased, considering, you know, that up to today I was not playing my best tennis in the few tournaments that I played this year and still kind of finding my rhythm, finding my groove.바카라
Djokovic arrived in Madrid with a 5-3 record in the three tournaments he played. He had needed three sets in each of his last three victories this season, all in Serbia before losing the final there to Andrey Rublev.
바카라I had a week, 10 days to get ready for this match, and for this tournament,바카라 he said. 바카라I have done everything I possibly can to build my fitness and also improve on all aspects of the game, on the court.바카라
Djokovic played in only one hard-court tournament after having not been allowed to participate in the Australian Open because of his vaccination status. He lost to Jiri Vesely in the Dubai quarterfinals.
He also lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his opening match in Monte Carlo, which was his only other clay tournament this season. 바카라I바카라m really glad that it paid off, because I felt good on the court,바카라 he said. 바카라It바카라s the right process, and it바카라s the right direction.바카라
Djokovic, a three-time winner in Madrid, next faces Murray, a two-time champion in Madrid who continued his latest comeback with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 win over Denis Shapovalov. Murray, a former No. 1 player who has undergone hip surgeries in recent years, had won his first match on clay in nearly two years on Monday.
Teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz kept his good run with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Nikoloz Basilashvili, staying on track for a quarterfinal encounter with idol Rafael Nadal. The third-seeded Nadal opens on Wednesday against Miomir Kecmanovic.
Earlier, Rublev reached the third round after rallying to a 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 win over 20-year-old Jack Draper of Britain. The eighth-ranked Rublev is seeking his first Masters 1000 title. The win in Serbia last month added to his titles in Dubai and Marseille. Only Nadal and Alcaraz have also won three titles this season.
Marin Cilic defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, while Americans Frances Tiafoe and Jenson Brooksby lost their first-round matches in straight sets. Tiafoe lost to Cristian Garin 6-1, 6-3 and Brooksby lost to Roberto Bautista Agut 6-0, 6-2.
In an all-American match, Sebastian Korda defeated Reilly Opelka 6-3, 7-5.
In the women바카라s draw, American Jessica Pegula defeated Bianca Andreescu 7-5, 6-1 to set up a quarterfinal encounter with Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo, who got past Daria Kasatkina 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 to reach her third WTA 1000 quarterfinal.
Jil Teichmann advanced to the last eight by defeating 16th-seeded Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-1. She will face Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, who upset reigning U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to reach her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal. Raducanu said she has been bothered by a back issue.