ATP Masters Rome: Novak Djokovic opens against Aslan Karatsev
Novak Djokovic meets Aslan Karatsev at the start of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome. The Russian edged out Lloyd Harris on lap one.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: May 08, 2022, 08:05 pm
After his tournament victory in Sydney, Aslan Karatsev has not been easy this year. And in the first round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome, the Russian was already one foot before the end. In the end, however, after defending a match point, it was enough to win 6:3, 3:6 and 7:6 (7) against Lloyd Harris. As a reward, Karatsev can play against Novak Djokovic in round two, who enjoyed a bye at the start.
Djokovic and Karatsev - wasn't there something? In fact, both previous encounters had a special touch: First, Djokovic and Karatsev met in the semifinals of the Australian Open 2021. The Serbs were expected there, Karatsev not. Djokovic certainly won in three sets. A few months later, the pair met again on clay in Belgrade, this time Karatsev coming out on top. After last week's results, however, it would be surprising if the meeting in Rome had a similar outcome.
In the other Sunday games of the main draw in Rome it was already over for two Italian wild card holders: Francesco Passaro lost against Cristian Garin 3: 6 and 2: 6, Matteo Arnaldi lost to Marin Cilic 1: 6 and 4: 6.
Here the single tableau in Rome
rommap