Djokovic left to fret over hamstring
NOVAK DJOKOVIC admitted he is worried about his Australian Open prospects after his left hamstring problem flared up again during a second- round victory over Enzo Couacaud.
Djokovic took a medical timeout during the second set and appeared distinctly uncomfortable, grimacing and stretching, but he avoided joining Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud in making an early exit, coming through 6- 1 6- 7 ( 5) 6- 2 6- 0 to set up a clash with Grigor Dimitrov.
Speaking to Eurosport, the 35- year- old said of the hamstring: “To be honest, it is not good at all. I will take it day to day.
“It was better last match, the feeling, than tonight, but that is all I can say and now it is up to God to help me and the physio and everyone. I hope I will be able to recover and be ready for a tough match next up.”
Expanding on the subject in his press conference later, Djokovic said: “I am worried. I cannot say that I’m not. I have reason to be worried.”
Casper Ruud, meanwhile, admitted a lengthy exhibition tour with Nadal may have compromised his chances after his 6- 3 7- 5 6- 7 ( 4) 6- 2 defeat by American Jenson Brooksby.
The second seed, a finalist at the French Open and US Open last year, had limited pre- season training after joining Nadal on a tour of Latin America lasting nearly two weeks.
The Norwegian said: “It’s very easy to sit here now and say that was bad for maybe both Rafa and I due to the fact that we lost early here.
“( The preparation) was maybe not enough to be able to perform well here this year. So it will be considered by me and my team what we will do in December this year, and if this was the right way to prepare for the Australian Open or not.
“Maybe it looks like it was not the right way, but there are many factors that come into play.”
It has been a hugely successful tournament so far for the American men, with eight through to the third round.
Tommy Paul, JJ Wolf and Michael Mmoh all upset seeds, with the latter taking out 12th seed Alexander Zverev, who is finding things tough after returning from a long- term ankle injury.
Ben Shelton, who is on his first trip outside the US, is also through to the last 32 but America’s highest- ranked man, eighth seed Taylor Fritz, is out after losing in five sets to Australian wild card Alexei Popyrin.