Novak Djokovic ended Stan Wawrinka’s hopes of stringing collectively a hat-trick of match wins for the primary time in 18 months with a 6-2 6-2 thumping within the final 16 of the Italian Open on Thursday (May 12).
The 37-year-old Swiss, who had not performed for 12 months after present process two surgical procedures for a foot harm, battled past Reilly Opelka and Laslo Djere to arrange a twenty sixth assembly with high seed Djokovic within the Italian capital, and first since 2019.
The 361st ranked Warinka, who final received three successive matches on the 2020 Paris Masters, couldn’t deal with Djokovic’s baseline depth within the first set and was damaged twice.
Wawrinka confirmed unimaginable defence to break Djokovic within the sixth recreation of the second set however a double break from the world primary carried him to victory.
It was Djokovic’s twentieth win over Wawrinka, and 998th profession victory, as he bids to change into the fifth participant to reach the 1000-win mark.
“It is great to see Stan back,” the Serbian stated. “He received two matches right here, he’s nonetheless bodily not there, however he’s nonetheless Stan and may damage you.
“From the beginning I really moved him around the court and held my serve well. I know what is expected from me next.”
Djokovic will face Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime within the quarter finals after the 21-year-old beat American Marcos Giron 6-3 6-2.
Alexander Zverev chalked up a century of match wins at Masters 1000 occasions with a 6-3 7-6(5) win over Australian Alex de Minaur, whereas world quantity 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas battled again from a set down to beat 4-6 6-0 6-3 Russian Karen Khachanov.
Source : channelnewsasia.com
