Serb beats Thiem in Kooyong Classic

Melbourne, Jan. 10: Novak Djokovic made a resounding return on Wednesday after six months out with an elbow injury, declaring he felt “great” after beating world number five Dominic Thiem 6- 1, 6- 4 at the Kooyong Classic.

The Serbian 12- time Grand Slam winner was in good form, and full of optimism, after his first competitive outing since losing a Wimbledon quarterfinal to Tomas Berdych last July.

“I feel great, I was eager to get onto the court,” he said after playing with a flesh- coloured sleeve on his right arm. “I had a great opponent, it was a ● Djokovic made a resounding return on Wednesday after six months out with an elbow injury, declaring he felt “great” after beating world number five Dominic Thiem 6- 1, 6- 4 at the Kooyong Classic.

● Thiem, who arrived in Melbourne on Monday night from Doha after lying low for four days with a virus, presented only a minimal challenge to the recharged Serb.

test for me to see where I am, how the work we did pays off on court. It worked pretty well.”

The former world number one, who will be chasing a record seventh Australian Open crown next week, had pulled out of a warm- up Abu Dhabi tournament, raising concerns over whether he would be fit enough to

play at Melbourne Park.

“There was a doubt, after I pulled out of the first week of the year,” he admitted. “I personally didn’t know what’s going to happen. We did some treatment and obviously gave it a lot of thought. Luckily for me I’m here and so I’m hoping in the next four, five days everything will go well and I’ll

be ready for the Open.”

While pleased at his progress, Djokovic, who has dropped to 14 in the world, admitted he still had work to do ahead of the opening Grand Slam of the year.

“I’m very, very happy with how it went today,” added the 30- year- old.

“I don’t say I’m at percent, I can only 100 say that when I get the feel of a tournament. Ideally I would have had another tournament before the start of the Open, but it was not meant to be.

“I’ll take whatever I can one or two matches here will be good preparation.”

Thiem, who arrived in Melbourne from Doha after four days in bed with a virus, presented only a minimal challenge to the recharged Serb.

“I’m free of fever and healthy again,” the Austrian said. “I’m still jet- lagged and was slow at the beginning of the match. I’ll sleep, eat and train and not do too much. I’ll be fine for the Open.”

— AFP