Djokovic subdues Munar challenge
The straightset win over his rival notwithstanding, Novak made to dig deep into his reserves
PARIS:NOVAK Djokovic continued his clay court-season resurgence with another straight-sets win at the French Open, defeating Jaume Munar 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 6-4. The former world No 1 has admitted motivation has been an issue during a tough spell in which form and fitness have deserted him — last winning an ATP Tour title at Eastbourne in July — but he pushed clay king Rafael Nadal hard last time out in the Internazionali d’italia final.
And Djokovic has started well at Roland Garros, following up Monday’s triumph over Rogerio Dutra Silva with a hard-fought victory on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The 20th seed was made to battle for his place in the third round by Munar, with his touches of veteran class required to maintain a bid for his first grand slam title since the 2016 competition.
Nadal had given Munar “practically nil” chance of upsetting Djokovic, but he was in the match from the off and a double fault and an immediate break gave the Serbian work to do.
The response was swift as Djokovic looked to force the issue, moving 4-1 up after a double break, yet Munar stayed in touch with his esteemed opponent and then drew level with a backhand volley at the end of a sensational rally as he rattled off three successive games.
Although Djokovic had far too much quality in a brutal tiebreak, he again struggled to shake off the determined 21-yearold in the second set, until a series of pivotal rallies secured the decisive break and then a hold.
Munar still kept pushing in the third, but he volleyed into the net at close quarters to concede another break, allowing Djokovic to see out a testing encounter in under two and a half hours. The world No 22 will now face Roberto Bautista Agut, another Spaniard, in the third round.
Djokovic admitted he had struggled to get motivated in the past year after struggling with injuries. “In recent times, it was sometimes difficult to have a global vision,” he told L’equipe.
“There have been days in the past 12 months when I felt unmotivated because of the injury and challenges. But that’s life.”
ZVEREV TRIUMPHS
Alexander Zverev was far from his best on Wednesday but was still able to battle past Dusan Lajovic in a five-set thriller.
Zverev has been one of the in-form players on clay this year with 17 wins and two titles to his name on the red dirt – including victory over Dominic Thiem at the Madrid Open. He eased past Ricardas Berankis in the opening round but Lajovic proved a much tougher test, Zverev eventually progressing 2-6 ,7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Zverev will play Damir Dzumhur in round three.
Meanwhile, Kei Nishikori rallied past local favourite Benoit Paire to reach the third round. The 19th-seeded Japanese player needed nearly three hours to win 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 against the Frenchman. “He was attacking every shot,” Nishikori said. “He has one of the best touches on the Tour, it was fun to play him today.”