ATP Cincinnati: ailing Novak Djokovic defeats Ricardas Berankis
Novak Djokovic got off to a successful start at the Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 tournament. The Serb defeated Ricardas Berankis 7: 6 (2) and 6: 4 despite neck problems.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Aug 25, 2020, 03:16 am
Due to the short-term cancellation of the planned double at Filip Krajinovic's side, doubts about the fitness of the world number one had arisen in the run-up to Novak Djokovic's ATP tour comeback. The 17-time Grand Slam winner, who underwent treatment in the neck area twice in the course of the match, actually did not look completely fit against Ricardas Berankis, but in the end it was 7: 6 (2) and 6: 4-, which was all in all safe. Success on account.
Berankis was in the front with a break in both the first and second set, but the man from Lithuania was unable to transport the lead over the finish line. In the first section Djokovic was 3: 4 behind, in the second half the Serb even caught up with a 2: 4.
Djokovic meets Tennys Sandgren in the third round, who in turn prevailed in the tie-break of the third set against Felix Auger-Aliassime. On the other hand, one of Djokovic's biggest competitors for the title has already been eliminated: Dominic Thiem had to admit defeat to Filip Krajinovic after a weak performance with 2: 6 and 1: 6 .