'Everyone wants to trip Novak Djokovic up', says ATP star

Bolivian tennis player Hugo Dellien asked World No. 1 Novak Djokovic for his jersey after their clash at the Tokyo Olympics. Dellien, ranked 139th in the world, had no chance against Djokovic when the Serbian won 6-2 and 6-2 to advance to the second round in Tokyo. Dellien saved three break points in the fourth game to even the set at two games each, but the Serbian then claimed consecutive breaks and won four consecutive games to win the first set. Djokovic also scored twice in the second set to book a comfortable straight-set win. On the net, Djokovic and Dellien had a pleasant exchange. Before the Tokyo Olympics, Djokovic said: "The schedule is really tough, but I feel like my preparations were good. Also, I recently won a lot of matches, which always gives you more confidence and energy. Playing for my country is the greatest honor and privilege for me. I am an individual athlete, we rarely have the opportunity to be a team. I'm thankful that we were able to win the ATP Cup and the Davis Cup, and now I'm missing the Olympic gold. I have the greatest ambitions in Tokyo, it is no secret that I am aiming for the gold medal”. Djokovic also said it would not be easy in Tokyo. "Although some top players are not coming, there are also many elite players fighting for the medals: (Daniil) Medvedev, (Stefanos) Tsitsipas and (Alex) Zverev are among the favorites. They are the best, but it is a long tournament and anything can happen. Also, the Olympics are specific in terms of pressure, expectations and emotions; everything is different compared to other tournaments and I know it very well, I felt it on my own skin in the past."

Struff on facing Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic and Jan-Lennard Struff won their respective first-round matches at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday, thereby setting up a mouth-watering second-round clash against each other. “I really wanted the match," Struff said. "It's absolutely special. Novak is currently in incredible form. I have to play my best tennis, otherwise I don't have a chance. I've played him a couple of times and unfortunately I always lost. But I believe I can win, otherwise I wouldn't even play. Everyone wants to trip him up - me too." Zverev also highlighted Djokovic's imperious record in night matches at the Australian Open to back up his claim. Zverev: “Take a look at his Australia Open Night record. That's kind of 27: 1 or 30: 1. The only match he lost was against Wawrinka. He would have won against aliens too."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3i3s4BS