Introduction
In a swift and unexpected turn of events, Novak Djokovic claimed victory in his first singles match in the U.S. since 2021 at the Western and Southern Open. The second-ranked player was facing off against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina when the Spaniard retired early in the second set, citing a lower back injury.
The match began with Djokovic taking the first set 6-4. Just two points into the second set, Fokina’s return was met with visible discomfort as he hunched over in pain. After enduring the agony for a short while, Davidovich Fokina made the difficult decision to end the match after only 46 minutes of play.
Djokovic Expresses mixed emotions
Djokovic expressed mixed emotions about the situation, acknowledging his camaraderie with Davidovich Fokina off the court. The Serbian player revealed that his opponent had informed him of a lower back issue that had surfaced the previous day, leading to his unfortunate retirement.
The 36-year-old Djokovic, who had encountered COVID-19 vaccine restrictions earlier, had lost in doubles on the previous day. This marked his return to the country and his first appearance in Cincinnati since 2019. Notably, the 2020 Western & Southern Open had been relocated to New York due to pandemic-related reasons.
This match was Djokovic’s first singles appearance after his loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final. With a remarkable record of 23 Grand Slam singles titles. Djokovic is set to take on Gael Monfils in the next round. Monfils, who is yet to secure a victory against Djokovic in 18 attempts, will be aiming to break the streak.
Despite the abbreviated match, Djokovic looked forward to the next challenge and expressed his optimism about shaking off the rust from his previous absence. His words indicated a determination to continue performing at his best.
On the women’s side, top-ranked Iga Swiatek had a stellar start at the tournament, defeating American qualifier Danielle Collins with a commanding score of 6-1, 6-0. Swiatek, who had struggled in Cincinnati the previous year, expressed her satisfaction with the progress she had made and the boost in her confidence.
Swiatek’s upcoming opponent, Zheng Qinwen, secured her spot in the next round by rallying to defeat Venus Williams in a three-set match. Another notable upset of the day came from 18-year-old Linda Noskova, who stunned ninth-ranked Petra Kvitova with a comeback victory.
Other remarkable Matches
The Western and Southern Open also witnessed other remarkable matches, including Elena Rybakina’s triumph over Jelena Ostapenko in a hard-fought contest that lasted over two hours. Stefanos Tsitsipas, ranked fourth, sailed past Ben Shelton in straight sets.
The tournament, known as a Masters 1000 event, has a long and storied history in Cincinnati since 1899. However, uncertainties loom over its future as rumors suggest a potential move to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2026. This potential relocation has sparked discussions about the event’s legacy and impact on the tennis community.
Conclusion
As the Western and Southern Open progresses, fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating more thrilling matches and unpredictable outcomes on the courts.
