the Serbian Novak Djokovic (4th in the world) overtook the Bulgarian despite discomfort in his left thigh Grigor Dimitrovfor 7-6(7), 6-3 and 6-4, in just over three hours to qualify for the second round of the Australian Open.
The 21-time ‘major’ champion was groomed after the conclusion of the first set for five minutes and will face the Australian in the next round Alex DeMinau.
Dimitrov fell into the trap of trying to put more pressure on a player who at times seemed prevented from moving in his backhand area; and unforced errors multiplied against a consistent Djokovic who I wanted to spend as little time as possible on the track in order not to aggravate his left thigh injury.
The Bulgarian is busy 50 unforced errors which contrasted with the 21 of the Serbian and didn’t suit him even in the serve, accumulating 59% of first success.
It was the fifteenth time that the Belgrader reached the round of 16 Melbourne and equaled the Spaniards Rafael Nadal ranked second in a Swiss-led list Roger Federer.
It’s his 59th appearance in the fourth round of a slam and is only behind Federer himself, who has participated 69 times in the round of 16 of a ‘major’.
the win number 24 in a row at the Australian Open after losing to South Korean Chung Hyeon in the round of 16 of the 2018 edition.
His next rival will be Australian De Miñaur who equaled his best result in the local ‘slam’ by reaching the round of 16 for the second consecutive year by beating Bonzi, 7-6(0), 6-2 and 6-1 .
The solidity of De Minaur, which beat Rafael Nadal in the recent United Cupshe shined after making just twelve unforced errors between the second and third sets.
The “Australian” and the Serbian have never faced each other, so this Monday the Rod Laver Arena will witness an unprecedented duel.
Source: EFE
Source: Clarin
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