Novak Djokovic beats Albert Ramos-Vinolas to reach 4th round of Australian Open | Tennis News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Novak Djokovic beats Albert Ramos-Vinolas to reach 4th round of Australian Open

Omnisport | By
Jan 20, 2018 04:42 PM IST

Novak Djokovic overpowered Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open tennis tournament.

Novak Djokovic battled with a lower back injury as he claimed his 11th round of 16 appearance at the Australian Open on Saturday.

Novak Djokovic celebrates beating Albert Ramos-Vinolas in their Australian Open encounter.(AFP)
Novak Djokovic celebrates beating Albert Ramos-Vinolas in their Australian Open encounter.(AFP)

The six-time champion advanced with a clear-cut 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Spanish 21st seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas in 2hr 21min on Margaret Court Arena.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

But there was concern in the Serb’s camp when the former world No.1 sought a medical timeout early in the second set for treatment to his lower back.

READ | Maria Sharapova knocked out of Australian Open tennis by Angelique Kerber

Djokovic, looking for matches after six months out with right elbow trouble, will next face South Korea’s Chung Hyeon in Sunday’s fourth round after he shocked Alexander Zverev.

The injury was a fresh concern for the 12-time Grand Slam champion, whose ranking has slipped to 14 after an inactive second half of 2017.

But Djokovic was workmanlike as broke the Spaniard’s serve five times, although his errors outnumbered his winners 40-37.

READ | Tomas Berdych ends Juan Martin del Potro’s Australian Open tennis

“It was a straight sets win, but it was almost two-and-a-half hours, so it wasn’t that easy and comfortable on the court,” Djokovic said.

“I knew coming into the match that he was a great fighter, he grinds it out and gets a lot of balls back.

“Obviously for me it’s taking it one match at a time but I have to be more humble with my expectations as I haven’t played in the last six months.

“But I am very pleased where my game is at.”

Should Djokovic beat Chung he is facing a potential quarter-final against Austria’s fifth seed Dominic Thiem, who must first get past American surprise packet Tennys Sandgren on Monday.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On