PARIS: World number one Novak Djokovic had a difficult return to the ATP circuit Singles but struggled to beat Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the second round of the Paris Masters on Tuesday.
20-year Grand Slam champion 34-year-old said on Sunday his biggest fear is the lack of match practice that had not played since Daniil Medvedev destroy his dream of a major sweep in the finals of the US Open in September.
Serbia fears borne because fucsovics install Sterner tests than the ‘rabbit caught in the headlights that he was making when they meet in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon earlier this year.
“This is my return to competition after almost two months did not play in an official tournament,” Djokovic said.
“Because it was difficult to get into my rhythm, but I’m glad it was a decent win.” Idemo 🇷🇸 @ djokernole #rolexparismasters https://t.co/pvbv5jtjvq- atp tour (@atptour) 1635892119000djokovic – rare for him also play doubles in Paris – said he expects a tough game though had defeated his opponent three times before they met , “It was a super battle,” he said.
Now I need to play more to rediscover my intensity level.
The more matches I play the better I will play.
“I know this is also in this situation before.
Hopefully that experience will come in handy.” Djokovic barely had to engage a second gear while cruising to the first set in 38 minutes with the loss of just two games.
Fucsovics but broke early to go 3-1 in the second, energizes the night crowd at the Bercy.
Djokovic serves to save the set to love at 5-3, but the champion Australian, French and Wimbledon can not prevent fucsovics serve to take the match to a decisive set.
Never hesitate 👏 @ djokernole survived fucsovics in his first match since the US Open, claimed a 6-2, 4-6, 6 …
https://t.co/wj5ptzrwvq- Rolex Paris Masters (@Rolexpmasters) 1635891887000djokovic, though , interestingly together in the third set and breaking his 29-year-old to go 4-2.
Djokovic had a match point in the next Fucsovic service game when he turned the screw but Hungary keep it and stay in the contest to win the game to trail 3-5.
Djokovic, however, made a mistake when he was serving a match to see the progess opponent and ranks 40th for the third round.
He will play the winner of the All-French clash between Adrian Mannarino and Mercurial Gael Monfils.
27 shots entertaining tennis djokovic 🙌fucsovics pushing hard because he took the second set 6-4! …
https://t.co/vjhzrezbmx- Tennis TV (@Tennistv) 1635889388000earlier other seeds also have a hard time.
Felix Auger-aliasme establish a second round clash with Domink Koepfer, Conqueror of Andy Murray, after coming from a set down to beat Italian qualifier Gianluca Mager 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
The ninth seed 21-year-old Canadian needed five match points to do so against an opponent who hooked, playing well above his world ranking of 66.
Auger-aliassime need to be on top of his courage when he faced Koepfer who saved seven match points.
against the world number one Murray on Monday before sealing the win with the first.
“The end of the first set was disappointing but I reacted well,” said Auger-aliassionime.
I bounced back in the second set.
After returning very well, I created the show and I won the second set and then I finished very well.
“So it is with the game on a positive phase for me.” Day 2: Enjoy the Ride 🎢 # Rolexparismasters https://t.co/0if53dwnnl- Paris Rolex Masters (@Rolexpmasters) 1635893344000auger-aliassionSime has been very much in phase to the top including the semi-finals were open despite being helped by her quarter-final opponent Carlos Alcaraz retired from the match with a thigh injury.
However, the 18-year-old Spanish it has been recovered and showed real toughness in dealing with the Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 in a see-saw that thrilling encounter which lasted seven minutes shy of three hours.
Herbert, excited by the partisan crowd, had saved two match points but then handed victory to Alcaraz with a 10th double fault of the match.
Alcaraz will face eighth seed seeds Italy in the form of Sinner in the second round in what promises to be a cracking encounter two young and upcoming talents.