Melbourne – In the absence of Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic, his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic has reached the last 16 of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
The 22-year-old defeated Italian 25th seed Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 6-7 (8-10), 6-2, 7-5 at the Australian Open in Melbourne and will take on Frenchman Gael Monfils for a place in the quarter-finals.
Kecmanovic had announced that he would also play for Djokovic and make him proud. Kecmanovic, who had never advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam tournament before, was originally scheduled to play Djokovic in the first round at the Australian Open.
“It’s unbelievable. A week ago I was supposed to play the world number one and I barely had a chance and now I’m in the last 16,” said the Serbian tennis pro. He said he had not yet been in contact with Djokovic. “I think he’s still recovering from everything and I really didn’t want to bother him.”
Djokovic, the 34-year-old record Australian Open champion, had had to leave Australia because he failed in his appeal against the cancellation of his visa in the Federal Court.
