ATP Tokyo: Jan-Lennard Struff waves duel with Novak Djokovic
Jan-Lennard Struff could face industry leader Novak Djokovic in the second round of the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo. The Serb celebrates his comeback in the Japanese capital after suffering a shoulder injury.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit:
Sep 28, 2019, 09:10 pm
Djokovic had to give up against Stan Wawrinka at the US Open in the round of 16, after which there was even an early end of the season due to a shoulder injury. But in Tokyo, the world number one now celebrates his return on the tour earlier than initially assumed - and meets a qualifier in the first round.
Djokovic wants to take the event in the Japanese capital with him in preparation for the Olympic Games next year. In the second round, the 32-year-old could get it with Jan-Lennard Struff. The German plays against local hero Go Soeda.
Numerous cancellations
Compared to the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing , which takes place in parallel , the field in Tokyo is significantly less populated. Borna Coric is in second place and initially meets Taro Daniel, David Goffin and Benoit Paire are the next two seeders.
The organizers had to accept some bitter rejections prior to the event. For example, Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic canceled the hard court event. However, the local matador Kei Nisikori's injury-related waiver is particularly bitter.