Record Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic has begun his US comeback after a break of almost two years with a service win.
The 36-year-old Serb reached the last 16 at the ATP Masters tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio, after his opponent Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain had to retire early in the second set due to back trouble.
Djokovic had won the first set 6-4 in 46 minutes. He had not been allowed to enter the USA for a long time because of his lack of COVID vaccination.
“The spectators always expect an exciting match. That’s why you don’t want to win this way,” the winner of 23 Grand Slam tournaments said after the match. The world number two will face Frenchman Gael Monfils, against whom Djokovic is still unbeaten in 18 matches, in the round of 16.
