Google News 'Novak Djokovic is on the way to being loved in the...', says former No.1
by SIMONE BRUGNOLI | VIEW 4124
Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas insisted that Grigor Dimitrov brought a high level of tennis to his match as he was happy to have managed to win his first match in Vienna. Tsitsipas, seeded No. 1, defeated the former world No.
3 7-6 (6) 6-4 to advance to the second round in Vienna. "Grigor is a tough competitor and the level of tennis was really high today. We both competed at our highest [level]," Tsitsipas said in his post-match interview, according to the ATP website.
"It was great tennis that was played throughout the game and I got very close to my [best] offense and showed an incredible attitude [in] the last game, which was the most crucial of the game." Dimitrov had two break points in the second game and one more in the fourth game, but Tsitsipas saved those three break points.
As there were no breaks in the first quarter, the set had to be resolved in a tie-break. Dimitrov held a 6-3 lead in the tie-break, but Tsitsipas won five points in a row to save three consecutive set points and clinch the first set.
Tsitsipas saved a break point in the ninth game of the second set, before claiming the first break of the match in the tenth game to book a straight-set victory. "It is important to aim for offensive tennis." Novak Djokovic was aiming to complete the Calendar Slam at Flushing Meadows this year, but lost to Daniil Medvedev in the summit clash.
However, after his defeat to the Russian, the Serb asserted that he felt like the "happiest man alive" due to the enormous support he received throughout the fortnight.
Becker talks about Djokovic
Boris Becker believes Novak Djokovic has finally begun to receive the support he deserves from tennis fans, in light of the ovation he received during this year's US Open in New York.
"The incredible ovation he received during the final was very good for him," Boris Becker said. "That ovation should make it very clear that Novak is on the way to being loved in the final stretch of his career." Despite the enormous love and support Novak Djokovic received in the US Open, final, he could not muster up the energy for one final push as he fell agonizingly short of the Calendar Slam.
"Novak is still digesting the tremendous opportunity he could not take advantage of in the last US Open," said the German. "It became a major emotional problem for him, things did not go as expected."