with videoNovak Djokovic defeated Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his long-awaited return to singles on US soil. The 36-year-old Serb took the first set at the Cincinnati Masters (6-4), after which the world No. 23 was forced to give up. Djokovic had already lost his doubles match in Ohio on Tuesday.
He was not yet convincing for the number 2 in the world. He gave Djokovic several break points early on, and even after Davidovich Fokina picked up his injury, he still made mistakes with some easy balls. The Spaniard was tackled for the first time at 4-3 to Djokovic due to a lower back injury. In the first half of the second set, the injury worsened and he gave up.
Djokovic spoke of mixed feelings afterwards. “It’s nice to come back to America after two years and win the game, but the way it ended is of course less fun.” The 23-time Grand Slam champion has not played since losing the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz last month. “I hope I can grow here in the Championship.”
Djokovic played his last match on US soil two years ago during the US Open final. After that, he was not allowed to enter the country because he had not been vaccinated against the coronavirus. The Serbian player is now preparing for the US Open, which starts on August 28.
Watch Djokovic’s reaction after his comeback here:
Djokovic will play in his eighth Final in Cincinnati against France’s Gael Monfils.
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