Djokovic grinds out win, Nadal returns
MONTECARLO: Novak Djokovic said it was “great” to deal with the emotions of a “real battle” again, after saving 10 match points to beat Borna Coric at the Monte Carlo Masters, while Rafael Nadal made a “positive” return to the ATP Tour by thrashing Aljaz Bedene.
Djokovic, playing only his fourth tournament since Wimbledon last July after struggling with a right elbow injury, overcame some late nerves to win 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 in the second-round clash.
“It was a real battle. I mean, I could have won the match earlier definitely, but it was great to deal with these kind of emotions again,” said the 12-time Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic is working with longtime former coach Marian Vajda for the first time in almost a year after splitting from Andre Agassi, and the 30-year-old has looked rejuvenated in Monaco after early exits in Indian Wells and Miami.
The Serbian will next face Austrian fifth seed Dominic Thiem with a possible quarter-final against defending champion Nadal, who plays Karen Khachanov in the last 16 on Thursday, up for grabs.
But Djokovic insisted he wasn’t looking past the clash with Thiem, a French Open semi-finalist in each of the last two years.
“It’s disrespectful towards Dominic and Dominic’s tennis... To think about and talk about potentially a match-up with Nadal,” Djokovic added.
“Last year in Roland Garros he beat me in straight sets. He’s definitely (a) top-three player in the world on clay.”
Two-time Monte Carlo winner Djokovic said that he has gained power since changing to a lighter racquet to try and take pressure off his troublesome elbow. “It feels like I gained more power, especially on the serve. I gained more angle,” he said.
NADAL STARTS WELL
Nadal started his bid for an 11th Monte Carlo title with a comfortable victory over Slovenia’s Bedene.The 16-time Grand Slam winner, like Djokovic, is looking for a record 31st Masters title, and he swatted aside Bedene for the loss of only four games.
The 31-year-old Spaniard said he still needs more time on court after playing his first tour match since an injury-hit Australian Open quarter-final exit in January. “It’s a positive start, of course. It’s important for me to win matches... I need days on court,” said Nadal. “Every match that I have the chance to win is great news because it’s confidence and is a chance to play another day, and that’s what I need.” Japan’s Kei Nishikori continued his comeback from injury with an impressive 7-5, 6-2 win over Russian Daniil Medvedev.