Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
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Novak Djokovic
MELBOURNE, AFP: Novak Djokovic defied rowdy fans and hamstring trouble to haul himself into the Australian Open third round with a drama-filled win over qualifier Enzo Couacaud on Thursday.
The Serbian suffered a mid-match wobble before blazing past his 191st-ranked opponent 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-0 on Rod Laver Arena.
It was his 23rd straight win on the Melbourne Park centre court as he steps up his quest for a record-extending 10th Australian Open crown.
In a colourful match, he also had a major moment with the umpire, demanding that a drunken fan be thrown out.
The dogged win set up a clash against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, who swept past another Serb, Laslo Djere, 6-3, 6-2, 6-0.
With three top 10 seeds – Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud, and Taylor Fritz – already out of the tournament, and world number one Carlos Alcaraz injured, Djokovic’s route to another title, and a 22nd Grand Slam crown, has become easier.
That’s if his hamstring holds up.
Djokovic aggravated it during his run to a 92nd tour-level title at the Adelaide International this month and his left thigh was again heavily strapped.
