A sick Djokovic gets a big scare in Paris

The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz and the Russian Daniel Medvedev eliminated in the second round. The Italian Jannik Sinner, retired after his first game around three in the morning. Three of the top four in the world, outside the Paris Masters 1000 ATP when the round of 16 was not yet resolved.

Everyone put their hands on their heads when the Serbian Novak Djokovic, 36 years old and No. 1, went down in the first set, went on a 0-5 to 4-6 run, and called a doctor. The shadow of picking favorites in this edition hangs over the six-time champion of the competition. Such was the apprehension that some fans were excited by the request ‘No’.

The truth is Djokovic He had a great fear because of his own tumors, with the explanation of a stomach virus that he had been carrying for a few days, and the faith of his rival. For several minutes he felt weak. However, whether it was the pills and gels he took from the doctor or his own resilience in difficult conditions, he survived.

Novak Djokovic avoided the disaster that would have meant surrendering to the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor27 years old and world number 23. He came back to win 4-6, 7-6 (2) and 6-4 in 2h.39′. “I started well, but I felt worse, maybe because of the stomach pain that I had for three days. It’s hard when I spend more time in the bathroom than on the court, but that’s how life is, it forces you. to look for solutions and That’s what I’ve done,” he clarified.

This Friday, not before 7:30 pm, a good duel against the Dane Holger Runewhich means a repeat of the 2022 final, or the German Daniel Altmaier.

Djokovic came alive from a 3-4, 15-40, from the threat of finding himself at 3-5 and served a brave forehand for the match. However, in the sixth sense of the greats, he found two first serves to save that situation. A springboard to the ‘tiebreak’, where one showed the honors of a thousand matches and the other suffered the pressure. Griekspoor thought about what he was doing, wrinkling his arm.

In the same column, change of scenery. Djokovic raised the level, even if it was not the best days, far from it, but enough to make a difference in a Griekspoorchampion in his best season of Pune and Hertogenbosch, finding it too long face to face with a legend.

Although, Djokovic He opened another door for him. After failing to take advantage of a ball for 5-2 and serve in the third set, the Serbian added a dose of excitement by serving with a double fault for 4-4. He had to deal with an annoying and boisterous crowd, which he mocked for that double fault, the eighth inning of the game. In response from the stands, boos. The Serbian counterattacked, winning the last eight points of the match.

Djokovic was irregular from start to finish, leading 4-1 at the start of the encounter, losing as many as eleven points in a row allowing Griekspoor to play, losing him respect. ‘Nole’ suffering in the face of complications. Persisting. More craft and work than glitter. He knows how to get through a difficult day, overcome the discomfort in the stomach.

And he is in the quarterfinals, increasing his advantage Carlos Alcaraz in the ranking. With 180 points tied in Paris, he’s 670 away. It’s 15 straight for Djokovic, who has won 28 of 29 since Roland Garros.