Novak Djokovic battled again from a set all the way down to beat French teenager Luca Van Assche 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-2 in his opening match in Banja Luka on Wednesday.
The world primary squandered three set factors within the opener earlier than Van Assche took the tie-break, however Djokovic broke twice within the second set to drive a deciding set.
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He dropped serve straight away to start out the third set however then broke Van Assche twice in a row, with Djokovic greedy management to ultimately put away his 18-year-old opponent.
“It wasn’t simple. This in all probability will rank because the slowest court docket and slowest circumstances I’ve ever performed in. I didn’t count on this to be so sluggish,” said Djokovic.
“I couldn’t put any ball past him. He was on every single ball for a set and a half until I started to get some rhythm going and some tempo.”
He added: “I’m pleased with the best way I completed the match. Of course I can at all times play higher however a win is a win.”
Djokovic praised his opponent as a “very promising player”.
“He (Van Assche) has a vivid future forward of him, particularly on this floor, he’s very quick and agile”, the 35-year-old said.
“It’s normal to expect that new, young players will emerge, generational change is a normal thing in every sport, but I didn’t want to lose to an 18-year-old. It was definitely an additional motivation for me.”
Former French Open junior champion Van Assche, the youngest participant on the earth’s high 100 at quantity 87, had served Djokovic ample warning of his potential by beating Stan Wawrinka in spherical one.
Djokovic stated Monday his elbow was not in “very best situation” following a third-round exit last week at the Monte Carlo Masters, during which he was broken eight times by Lorenzo Musetti.
After Wednesday’s match, Djokovic said his elbow was “fine… holding up well”.
“These circumstances usually are not very best for joints and my elbow… however I’m glad that I managed to endure. I’m wholesome and keen for brand new victories.”
Van Assche earned the first break of the match for a 5-4 lead but failed to serve out for the set. He then saved three set points at 5-6 before eventually taking a surprise lead.
For the second set Djokovic disposed of the black compression sleeve on his right arm he also wore in Monaco, sweeping through without offering Van Assche a single break opportunity.
Despite falling behind to begin the third set, Djokovic recovered swiftly and sealed victory after two hours and 38 minutes.
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During Wednesday’s press conference, Djokovic also mentioned, jokingly, a possible future career as a coach.
Asked whom he would like to coach, Djokovic replied, smiling: “(Nick) Kyrgios”, with whom he as soon as had an icy relationship.
“If I might coach Kyrgios, he would in all probability win 5 Grand Slams. But it could value him some huge cash, an excessive amount of cash.”
The Serb, who is bidding for a record 23rd men’s Grand Slam title at the French Open next month, will play countryman Dusan Lajovic or Gregoire Barrere of France in the quarter-finals.
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