Tennis news - Novak Djokovic dispatches Alex Molcan to win Belgrade Open final ahead of French Open

Updated 29/05/2021 at 16:46 GMT

Credit: Amazon Prime Video. Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic secured a 6-4 6-3 win over Alex Molcan in the Belgrade Open on Saturday afternoon. Djokovic is preparing for the French Open next month and was initially troubled by his Slovakian opponent, who broke Djokovic early in the first set before falling away from pulling off an upset.

Djokovic claims 83rd ATP career title after Molcan win on home clay in Belgrade

Novak Djokovic continued his preparation for the French Open with victory in the Belgrade Open on Saturday afternoon.

The win was Djokovic’s 83rd career title, and the Serbian had to overcome his poor initial service game in the first set, but was ultimately able to defeat 23-year-old Alex Molcan 6-4 6-3 in just under an hour and a half.

The Slovakian is ranked 255th in the world, and broke Djokovic’s first service game to snap the world number one into focus.

ATP Madrid

Alcaraz admits he was 'so scared' when he first played Nadal

5 hours ago

“It’s been a while since I last played here in front of a crowd,” said 34-year-old Djokovic after the match.

“We played here one month ago [at the Serbia Open], without a crowd. To hold a trophy here after 10 years is really special and it couldn’t be better ahead of Roland Garros. I am playing well, feeling good and I have spent quality time with my family.”

Djokovic is due to play American Tennys Sandgren in the first round of Roland Garros and the initial struggle may help him overcome any potential complacency.

With just a 0-2 tour record before the Belgrade Open began, Molcan fell just short of becoming the fifth first-time ATP Tour winner of the season.