Novak Djokovic eases past Roman Safiulin to reach the third round in Monte-Carlo for the 14th time in his career - UBITENNIS

Novak Djokovic eases past Roman Safiulin to reach the third round in Monte-Carlo for the 14th time in his career

By sampaolo
4 Min Read

Novak Djokovic started his clay campaign with a 6-1 6-2 win over Roman Safiulin after 70 minutes to reach the third round for the 14th time in his career at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. 

Djokovic dropped six points in seven service and never faced a break point. The Serbian player fired 13 service winners and made nine unforced errors. 

Safiulin faced break points in every service game and dropped serve five times. 

Djokovic earned his first break, when Safiulin made a forehand error. Safiulin faced three break points in the third game, but he saved them, before Djokovic converted his fourth break point to open up a 3-0 lead. Safiulin made a forehand error in the fourth game and faced three break points. The Russian player saved them and hit a service winner on a game point to hold his first service game after 27 minutes.

Djokovic held serve at love in the sixth game with a forehand winner before breaking serve at love to race out to a 5-1 lead. The world number 1 player closed out the first set 6-1 after 33 minutes. 

Djokovic his an ace in the first game of the second set. He held at love and reeled off 12 points. 

Djokovic earned two break points in the second game after a forehand error from Safiulin. The Russian player saved them to hold his service game with a service winner and drew level to 1-1. Djokovic hit an unreturned serve in the third game for 2-1. 

Djokovic hit a forehand down the line in the fourth game to earn three break points and converted his second chance to take a 3-1 lead after a double fault from Safiulin. 

Djokovic held serve with a forehand winner in the fifth game. Safiulin faced break points, as he was serving at 1-4, but he saved them to hold serve for 2-4. Djokovic held serve in the seventh game to open up a 5-2 lead with service winners forcing Safiulin to stay in the match. 

Djokovic earned two match points with a forehand winner. Safiulin saved the first match point with a backhand crosscourt winner. Djokovic converted his second chance after a forehand error from Safiulin. 

Djokovic has not won a title this season. He reached his result with a semifinal at the Australian Open. He was not able to advance beyond the quarter finals in his seven previous appearances at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. 

Djokovic will face either Lorenzo Musetti or Arthur Fils in the third round. Musetti beat Djokovic in the third round at last year’s edition of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. 

“I am very pleased. I think even the games that I lost I had break points in those games. It is a really great first match at the start of the clay season. It has always been a little bit up and down. Last year as well, I started off well at the tournament and the second match I lost, so I hope to maintain this rhythm. I have a day tomorrow of training and I hope to come out in a few days time with attitude and quality of tennis”, said Djokovic. 

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