ATP Indian Wells: Philipp Kohlschreiber against Novak Djokovic with the thoughts on 2009
Philipp Kohlschreiber faces the hardest possible task at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells: He plays against Novak Djokovic in the third round (Tuesday, 04:00 a.m.CET, live on SKY and in our match tracker).
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Mar 11, 2019, 09:13 am
Philipp Kohlschreiber and the lottery drum have not always been a love affair in recent years, even in recent weeks. In Dubai, for example, the German had to compete against the later winner Roger Federer in lap one, performed well and still lost in three sets. The native of Augsburg has often been badly hit at Grand Slam tournaments - even if he still made it into the series of seeded players. Last year, for example, when the Kohlschreiber positioned at 22 had to run against Borna Coric right at the start. And lost.
Or in 2015 in Wimbledon, where Philipp Kohlschreiber had just missed the seed list. And thanks to Novak Djokovic presented in round one. The result was somewhat symmetrical, with Djokovic winning three times 6: 4. And Kohlschreiber should speak after the match that the Serb had played like a machine.
Only Kohlschreiber's victory over Djokovic
Fans and opponents have also been able to get this impression since Wimbledon 2018. Djokovic can be conquered, but only under special circumstances and by special players: like Karen Khachanov, who played the tournament of his life in Paris-Bercy last autumn. Or Alexander Zverev in the final of the ATP finals in London, who served inhumanely well.
The fine spirit Philipp Kohlschreiber could not be any further away from Khachanov or Zverev, but in contrast to the latter he has recently defeated Nick Kyrgios. In completely different circumstances, but a victory is a victory. That against Djokovic would be a real surprise, but not the first: In 2009 in Roland Garros, Kohlschreiber put the current world number one in its place. However, Novak Djokovic won the remaining eight games.