Thread: Djokovic wins comfortably in Dubai comeback

Djokovic wins comfortably in Dubai comeback

The Serbian tennis ace saw off Italian Lorenzo Musetti in two sets

21 Feb, 2022 20:10

"Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic won on his comeback by beating 19-year-old opponent Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-3 at the Dubai Open.The round of 32 match was delayed by almost two hours after Andy Murray's victorious battle with Christopher O'Connell ran well over schedule.

Yet at around 22:15 local time, the Serb finally took to the court to a warm welcome for the first time since a visa and vaccine scandal saw him unable to defend his Australian Open crown and deported from the country.

Cheers of "Novak" could be heard when Djokovic was introduced and at the coin toss, which Djokovic acknowledged by putting his thumbs up as at least five relatives including wife Jelena prepared to watch him in action.

Djokovic claimed to reporters at a tightly-controlled press conference on Sunday that he felt he was at his "peak" despite the emotional toll the Australian Open debacle took on him.

And while we might not get a true gauge of this yet given the level of opposition in teenage world number 58 Musetti, Djokovic didn't look too rusty by heading out to a 6-3 lead to claim the first set in 36 minutes after the young Italian initially tied it 1-1 despite unforced errors here and there.

Musetti took the first game of the second set but Djokovic, dressed in all green including his tennis shoes, then went 3-1 ahead.

At 3-2, the sixth game went to a deuce in which Djokovic prevailed before Musetti pulled things back to 4-3.

Applauding his young adversary for good points scored along the way, Djokovic and his class proved too much in the end with the Serb completing a ruthless and comfortable 6-3, 6-3 triumph.
Raising his racket to the sky and thanking all four corners of the arena, Djokovic received a rapturous ovation as Serbia flags were proudly shaken.

"I couldn't ask for a better reception, I couldn't be in a better place to restart the season," Djokovic stressed in a short post-match press conference on Center Court.

"All in all I have to be satisfied with my tennis. I made a few unforced errors but it's normal to expect that in your first match. [It was] a very pleasant experience for me," he added.
Djokovic now advances to the second round in Dubai, where he will play either Karen Khachanov or Alex de Minaur."

Djokovic wins comfortably in Dubai comeback — RT Sport News

...news concerning another tennis diva:

Zverev Fined $40K, Loses Prize Money, Points for Outburst




In this photo released by MexTenis, third-ranked Alexander Zverev of Germany smashes his racket on the umpire's chair moments after losing a doubles match of the Mexican Open tennis tournament in Acapulco, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. Zverev was thrown out of the Mexican Open after he struck the umpire's chair three times, sat for a moment, then got back up and yelled at umpire Alessandro Germani that he "destroyed the whole (expletive) match" and struck the chair once more with his racket as the umpire climbed down. (Marcos Dominguez/MexTenis via AP) THE ASSOCIATED PRESSFebruary 25, 2022

Acapulco, Mexico (AP) -- Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Alexander Zverev was fined $40,000 by the men's professional tennis tour and will forfeit more than $30,000 in prize money and all rankings points from the Mexican Open after hitting the chair umpire’s stand with his racket following a loss in doubles.
In addition to those penalties, the ATP announced Thursday it would undertake “a further review of the incident.”

Zverev was the 2020 U.S. Open runner-up. He is currently ranked No. 3 and was the defending singles champion in Acapulco.
The 24-year-old German was kicked out of the tournament after yelling and cursing at official Alessandro Germani and violently striking the umpire’s chair no fewer than four times.

Zverev and partner Marcelo Melo had just lost a doubles match to Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara. Just before the match ended, Germani gave Zverev a code violation for yelling and swearing while arguing about a shot that was ruled in, setting up match point.

The ATP said Zverev was fined $20,000 each for verbal abuse and unsportsmanlike conduct, the maximum penalty for each violation.

He loses his full prize money for singles and doubles of $31,570 and all rankings points earned at the tournament.
In October, the ATP opened an investigation into a former girlfriend’s accusations of domestic abuse by Zverev. The former girlfriend first made the accusations in 2020.
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Novak Djokovic likely to defend French Open title

Novak Djokovic now seems likely to participate in the French Open after France loosened COVID-19 restrictions.
Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that vaccine passports will no longer be required as of March 14.
The French Open, where the unvaccinated Djokovic is the defending champion, begins on May 22.

Novak Djokovic likely to defend French Open title | Reuters


Sigh