ATP Belgrade 2: Novak Djokovic struggles but beats Mats Moraing

World no. 1 Novak Djokovic made a winning start at the Belgrade 2 event, beating Mats Moraing 6-2, 7-6 in an hour and 40 minutes. It was Novak's 17th victory from 20 matches in 2021, losing serve twice and delivering four breaks to advance into the quarters after prevailing in the second. Novak served well in the opener and grabbed five straight games from 1-2 to control the scoreboard and move closer to the finish line. Delivering booming serves and attacking groundstrokes, Moraing played well in an opening couple of games, defending two break chances and reaching four deuces on the return at 2-1 before Djokovic took charge. The German fended off two break chances in the opening game with crafty winners, avoiding an early setback and challenging Novak on the return at 2-1. Djokovic stayed calm and avoided break chances, closing the game when his rival netted a forehand to level the score at 2-2.

Finding the rhythm on the return, Novak landed a return winner in game five for a break at love, moving in front and cementing the advantage with a service winner a few minutes later for 4-2. Losing ground in those moments, Mats netted an easy forehand in game seven to experience another break before Novak took four straight points in the next one for 6-2 in just under 40 minutes. Both players held at 30 in the second set's opening two service games before Djokovic placed a backhand passing winner for a break in game three and the advantage.

Novak Djokovic had troubles against a lucky loser in the second set.

Remaining calm, Moraing pulled the break back in the next game following Djokovic's double fault, leveling the score at 2-2 and already repeating what he had done in the opener. The German fended off three break chances in game five with powerful hitting and placed a service winner for a 3-2 lead. Leaving that game behind him, Novak held at love with an unreturned serve to lock the result at 3-3.

The Serb lost a point at the net in the seventh game and destroyed his racquet to receive a point penalty before Mats fired a service winner that sent him 4-3 in front. Djokovic secured the eighth game in style, and the German repeated that in the next one, producing a commanding hold to open another lead. Novak found his return in the 11th game and hit a forehand winner for a break at love and a 6-5 advantage, serving for the victory in the next one. Out of a sudden, Moraing broke back to prolong the set and force a tie break. At 2-2, Mats sprayed a forehand error, falling behind and pulling the mini-break back at 2-4 with a backhand crosscourt winner. The German hit a double fault in the eighth point, and Novak moved 6-4 up with a service winner. The Serb sealed the deal with another powerful serve to prevail and reach the quarters.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3fhFtEY