the valencian Barnabas Zapata, 26 years old and No. 76 ATP, set foot in the largest permanent stadium in world tennis, the Billie Jean King Tennis National Center’s Arthur Ashe. And he was able to play against one of the legends of this sport, the Serbian Novak Djokovic36 years and nº 2.
A tribute to Zapata’s career, which had to work hard to combine in the professional circuit. He entered boldly, ready to enjoy the moment by standing up to his famous rival.
But it collided with the reality of a Novak Djokovic in shape, also brought by his return to the United States after missing the country last year and his recent victory in the Cincinnati Masters 1000 ATP, against Carlos Alcaraz, where he will seize the world number one at this moment in the Grand slam. .
Djokovic, champion in 2011, 2015 and 2018, won 6-4, 6-1 and 6-1 in two hours. He doesn’t want more because the heat is pressing, and the breakdown counts for someone who thinks the tournament has seven games.
He will have a third, in the round of 16, next Friday against his countryman Laslo Djerewho prevailed over the French Hugo Gaston 6-1, 6-2 and 6-3.
Djokovic already had an experience in the morning and another throughout the day. “And the conditions are very different, you have to adapt,” he said. He soon found another way to slow down Zapata’s enthusiasm. “Have faith,” the Spanish Davis Cup captain yelled at him david ferrerlocated next to Berni’s coach, his brother javier ferrer. The Balkans seized it.
There have been 22 wins in 23 games this season on hard courts, with the only blemish being a loss in the semifinals in Dubai against the Russian. Daniel Medvedev.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
