Novak Djokovic fights off Borna Coric to book Dominic Thiem clash
Novak Djokovic overcame Borna Coric to set up a third-round clash with Dominic Thiem at the Monte Carlo Masters.
After dropping just one game in his 6-0, 6-1 win over Dusan Lajovic in the first round, he found things more difficult against another Serb in Coric.
However, he still came through the challenge as he won 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 in two hours and 18 minutes.
??and ?? battle!
[10th time’s a charm!] ??
Two-time #RolexMCMasters champion @DjokerNole converts MP #10 to defeat Borna Coric 7-6(2) 7-5 and reach third round. pic.twitter.com/IRImNl0Z9y
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 18, 2018
Djokovic broke in game four of the opening set, but Coric hit back in game seven only to then lose the tie-breaker.
The first three games of the second set went against serve and it was the 12-time Grand Slam winner who opened up a 3-1 lead and he found himself serving for the match at 5-4, but he couldn’t see it home as Coric broke back.
Djokovic, though, eventually go the job done a couple of games later, but in the end he needed 10 match points to get over the line and set up a last-16 encounter against Thiem.
The 11th seed Roberto Bautista Agut also advanced as he claimed a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) win over fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez while former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori beat Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-2.
However, 15th seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas crashed out as he lost 6-4, 6-1 against German Philipp Kohlschreiber, who will face Grigor Dimitrov next.
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