Novak Djokovic survives wobble to reach Adelaide International 1 quarter-finals with win over Quentin Halys
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Updated 05/01/2023 at 11:05 GMT
Novak Djokovic’s incredible unbeaten run in Australia continued as he saw off Quentin Halys in a tight match in Adelaide. Djokovic’s streak stretches back to 2018, albeit it includes the Covid pandemic and 2022 visa debacle which left him unable to play in the Australian Open. Djokovic will face Canada’s Denis Shapovalov in the quarter-finals. Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+.
Highlights: Hard-fought win for Djokovic over Halys in Adelaide
Novak Djokovic was handed a stern examination by Frenchman Quentin Halys as he battled into the Adelaide International 1 quarter-finals with a 7-6(3) 7-6(5) victory.
The Serb, playing his second singles match of 2023, was broken in his opening service game and trailed 5-2 in the first set as Halys came out firing.
But the world No. 7, as he has done so often throughout his career, fought back at the crunch point of the set as he broke to love in the ninth game before breezing through the tie-break.
The second set was also tight as Halys hung tough with Djokovic, but the 21-time Grand Slam champion upped his game in the breaker as he progressed to the last eight.
“It was a great performance from my opponent today and I want to congratulate him for a great fight," said Djokovic.
“He played like a top 10 opponent. He was serving big, hitting his spots and on a fast court like this it’s tough to break, so two tie-breaks is a realistic score in today’s match. I’m glad to overcome the challenge.”
Djokovic will next meet Denis Shapovalov, who overcame Roman Safiullin 6-4 6-3.
The 35-year-old is back in Australia for the first time since his visa debacle last year, when he was unceremoniously deported on the eve of the Australian Open.
The Djokovic saga grabbed headlines across the world in January 2022 after the Serb touched down for the opening Grand Slam of the year unvaccinated but with a medical exemption. His initial visa was cancelled, re-approved by a judge, then revoked again by Australian immigration minister Alex Hawke.
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