Erste Bank Open: Novak Djokovic with a narrow opening success over Filip Krajinovic
With Novak Djokovic , the number one of the tournament got off to a good start in the Erste Bank Open. The Serb defeated fellow countryman Filip Krajinovic in a hard-fought match 7: 6 (6) and 6: 3.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 27, 2020, 05:58 pm
By Michael Rothschädl from the Wiener Stadthalle
"We trained together a few days ago and joked that we could meet in Vienna too," said Novak Djokovic about his opponent after the draw for the Erste Bank Open. This is an old friend of the Serb: The world number one will meet his compatriot and friend Filip Krajinovic in round one of the ATP 500 event in Vienna. Djokovic: "I mean what are the odds?"
Novak Djokovic got off to a better start on the Center Court of the Wiener Stadthalle, which had previously been warmed up by Grigor Dimitrov and Karen Khachanov, who at times provided a thoroughly entertaining encounter. The world number one grabbed the first break of the game and took a 3-1 lead. Filip Krajinovic, who had already caused a stir this season with a clear victory over Dominic Thiem, kept up the pace of the Serb and benefited from an untypical number of mistakes on the part of Djokovic.
Escape artist Djokovic
Logically, Krajinovic should succeed in the rebreak immediately, in this phase Novak Djokovic tried a little too often with the stop, Krajinovic mostly had the right answer to this blow. The world number 30 proved this. also in the sequence in set one, grabbed the serve of the world number one again to 4: 3 and took the lead 5: 3. But when Krajinovic served the set with a score of 5: 4, the 28-year-old failed completely - Djokovic managed the rebreak at the right time.
There shouldn't be any more breaks in round one - a tie-break had to bring the decision. In this, Krajinovic was actually the leading player, leading 5: 3 and even had set ball at 6: 5. Djokovics was able to thwart all these chances, however, taking a set ball himself, which the 17-time Grand Slam champion also knew how to transform after an hour and twelve minutes.
That left its mark on the 30th in the world rankings, who in the first movement was able to win over the audience with an uncompromising offensive play, but in the end was a bit too negligent with his chances in the decisive moments. And a player of the Djokovic brand can do it better than anyone else to increase the pressure of his opponent in such a mental weak phase - as in set one, Djokovic was able to take the lead with a break in round two.
Opportunities on both sides
Djokovic now played really good tennis, even had four break chances to make it 4-1. Krajinovic was able to destroy all of these and stayed with it in round two. The world number 30. found a break chance to equalize 3: 3 in the next game, which his compatriot was able to thwart with a good net advance. The industry leader insisted on the preliminary decision in the following game, but now left some great opportunities himself - for example when he acted a bit too playful with a break at breakball.
This should not change anything at the end of this game, Djokovic now acted confidently as usual on his own serve and no longer allowed any break chances. With a score of 5: 3, the Serb then even had the chance to end the game if his opponent served. A bravely fighting Filip Krajinovic was able to fend off the first match point, but then the second fit. After almost exactly two hours, the world number one made the 7: 6 (6) and 6: 3 victory perfect.
Just one more win on Sampras record
As already announced at the opening press conference, the world number one showed his German skills again and thanked the audience for the support: "I feel very comfortable here." He told his friend Krajinovic that he was quite happy, especially in the first sentence. "It's always difficult to play against a friend. We often train together, he knows my game, I his. A few points have changed the momentum of the game," said Djokovic in an initial analysis.
In the round of the last 16, Novak Djokovic now faces Borna Coric, who was able to prevail against the American Taylor Fritz yesterday, Monday and who had reached the final of the ATP 500 event in St. Petersburg a few days ago. If the industry leader wins this game too, the Serb is sure to have another record. Djokovic would then end the season at the top of the ATP charts for the sixth time and thus draw level with the eternal record holder Pete Sampras.