MUMBAI: Eighteen years after watching an 18-year-old Novak Djokovic as a spectator on one of the outer courts of Flushing Meadows at the 2005 US Open, Aleksandar Kovacevic found himself in the middle of Roland Garros' showpiece court, this time standing across the net with the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
The American's fanboyturned-competitor day out in the Paris summer lasted a little under two-and-a-half hours, in which he did cause a few problems for Djokovic but not nearly enough to cause any alarm. Djokovic came out a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) winner in his first round of the French Open in Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The two-time Roland Garros champion lost his serve a few times and quelled a late fight from the 24-year-old Grand Slam debutant but restored his level just in time in the third-set tiebreaker in which he gave the American just one point. "I'm very motivated to stay in this tournament for a long time, it's just the start now," said Djokovic, speaking in French for his on-court interview. "I'm happy. I've started well and hope I can improve further for the next match." The 36-year-old will take on Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in the second round.
This story is from the May 30, 2023 edition of Hindustan Times.
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This story is from the May 30, 2023 edition of Hindustan Times.
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