Tennis News: Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic returns to the court and gets his fill in the 2023 season when he competes in Adelaide International 1.
Playing his first competitive game of the 2023 season, the former world No. 1 quickly found his rhythm to beat French international Constant Lestienne a convincing 6-3 6-2 and advance to the second round of the Adelaide International 1.
“For the first game, I can’t complain. I played really well. I think the first six games were very competitive and I had never faced him before,” Djokovic said.
“He didn’t make too many mistakes. He has an impressive serve, shoots quite accurately. But as soon as I got the break at 3-2 in the first set, I thought I had improved my game and played a very good game for the rest of the game.
As the stadium crowd watched his return to action, the 21-time Grand Slam winner proved to be full of power, attacking with stunning groundstrokes that hit consistently and accurately to take control of the match.
The 35-year-old also impressed on the return after winning 44% of first serve points over world No. 65 Lestienne in their first encounter which ended after 75 minutes.
The first seed appears at the Adelaide International 1 for the first time since the 2007 season, when she won the title aged 19.
Djokovic will continue his adventure at the 250-level ATP tournament when he faces Lestienne’s compatriot Quentin Halys who beat host Jordan Thompson 6-3 6-4.
“Seeing a crowded stadium for my first match must have been a very pleasant surprise and a lot of support and love,” added Djokovic.
“It definitely motivates me and allows me to express myself in the best way on the pitch with my game.”
“I think I played a very solid and competitive start. I think for the first six games we were pretty even. There were also some break point chances. I managed to play solid in the crucial moments and I was rewarded with the break. After that I didn’t look back. I played very well in the second set.”
Djokovic is competing in Australia for the first time since the 2021 season. This month he will also compete at the Australian Open, a Grand Slam he has won nine times.
Another top seeded tennis player who advanced to the second round of Adelaide International 1 was seventh seed Denis Shapovalov who edged host Rinky Hijikata 2-6 6-4 6-3. The Canadian tennis player will next face Roman Safiullin.
Article tags: Tennis, Adelaide International 1, Novak Djokovic
Published by Ligaolahraga.com at https://www.ligaolahraga.com/tenis/novak-djokovic-kantongi-kemenangan-pertama-season-2023-di-adelaide
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