Novak Djokovic worked in Monte Carlo to win against Ivan Gakhov as George Russell watched
Novak Djokovic has been forced to work for his first game since February. The top seed beat surprise qualifier Ivan Gakhov 7-6(5) 6-2 in an hour and 47 minutes. F1 star George Russell watched from the stands as Djokovic claimed his first victory in Monte Carlo since 2021.
Djokovic was playing his first game in over a month after he was unable to play in Indian Wells and Miami due to his unvaccinated status. The top seed faced an unknown opponent of world number 198 Ivan Gakhov, who only qualified for the qualifying event in Monte Carlo after four withdrawals on Friday.
The 26-year-old had previously expressed his excitement about facing the man he dubbed the GOAT, telling the ATP: "No matter the points, the money, the best reward is to play greatest of all time tomorrow. That's the best I can ask for."
Gakhov also vowed to face Djokovic 'like it's just another game' and kept his word by threatening the Serb early on, with the 35-year-old forced to save two break points at 2- 2. After blowing two break points, Djokovic was then beaten by world number 198 to trail 3-4.
The former double Monte-Carlo champion took a break and the first set ended in a tie-break, with little separation between the top seed and the qualification. The pair traded mini-breaks before Djokovic regained the lead and was able to close a close opener 7-6(5) in an hour and nine minutes.
Both men also started strong in set number two, holding on with relative ease through the first four games despite some frustration from Djokovic. But double faults started to creep into Gakhov's game and he was broken for the second time as the top seed took a 3-2 lead.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion began to run away with the match, breaking Gakhov a second time to serve for the match at 5-2. Djokovic was forced to save a break point but managed to wrap up a straight-sets victory after being challenged in the first set, robbing the 26-year-old of his second round-level victory.
Novak Djokovic has been forced to work for his first game since February. The top seed beat surprise qualifier Ivan Gakhov 7-6(5) 6-2 in an hour and 47 minutes. F1 star George Russell watched from the stands as Djokovic claimed his first victory in Monte Carlo since 2021.
Djokovic was playing his first game in over a month after he was unable to play in Indian Wells and Miami due to his unvaccinated status. The top seed faced an unknown opponent of world number 198 Ivan Gakhov, who only qualified for the qualifying event in Monte Carlo after four withdrawals on Friday.
The 26-year-old had previously expressed his excitement about facing the man he dubbed the GOAT, telling the ATP: "No matter the points, the money, the best reward is to play greatest of all time tomorrow. That's the best I can ask for."
Gakhov also vowed to face Djokovic 'like it's just another game' and kept his word by threatening the Serb early on, with the 35-year-old forced to save two break points at 2- 2. After blowing two break points, Djokovic was then beaten by world number 198 to trail 3-4.
The former double Monte-Carlo champion took a break and the first set ended in a tie-break, with little separation between the top seed and the qualification. The pair traded mini-breaks before Djokovic regained the lead and was able to close a close opener 7-6(5) in an hour and nine minutes.
Both men also started strong in set number two, holding on with relative ease through the first four games despite some frustration from Djokovic. But double faults started to creep into Gakhov's game and he was broken for the second time as the top seed took a 3-2 lead.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion began to run away with the match, breaking Gakhov a second time to serve for the match at 5-2. Djokovic was forced to save a break point but managed to wrap up a straight-sets victory after being challenged in the first set, robbing the 26-year-old of his second round-level victory.
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