Novak Djokovic sees off Jannik Sinner in ‘very good encounter’ as he stays unbeaten in 2021

Novak Djokovic stretched his unbeaten run in 2021 to 10 matches as he held off rising star Jannik Sinner in his Monte-Carlo Masters opener.
Playing in his first match since winning the Australian Open in February, Djokovic was put to the test early on by the teenager, but eventually pulled off a 6-4, 6-2 victory in one hour and 34 minutes.
Job Done for Djokovic ✅@DjokerNole defeats Sinner 6-4 6-2 to make a 10-0 start to the season for the sixth (!) time in his career!#RolexMCMasters pic.twitter.com/UGN4JaxbtR
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 14, 2021
Sinner, who finished runner-up at the Miami Masters a fortnight ago, was in the ascendency early on as he broke in game three, but the world No 1 won the next four games as he broke twice to lead 5-2.
The Italian, though, drew level on serve with a second break in game nine only for Djokovic to claim a third break and take the set in 55 minutes.
The second set was more comfortable for the 18-time Grand Slam winner with breaks in game four and eight setting up the win.
“It feels great [to be back and] also playing in Monaco, where I reside,” Djokovic said. “I have used this club as a training base for almost 15 years, so it feels like playing at home.
“It was a very good encounter. I thought it was a great first match [and] a big challenge for me. Jannik is in form. He played the final [in] Miami and has been playing well. I just hung in there today and managed to find the right shots and the right game at the right time.”
Next up is British No 1 Dan Evans, who comfortably beat Miami Open champion and 13th seed Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 6-1.
Meanwhile, ninth seed Roberto Bautista Agut earned himself a third-round clash against Andrey Rublev with a 6-3, 6-4 win over American Tommy Paul.
Russian sixth seed Rublev also had a straightforward day at the office as he beat Italian qualifier Salvatore Caruso 6-3, 6-2.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Ons Jabeur isn’t paid by the hour as she breezes into last 16
The world number two extended her winning streak on grass this summer to eight matches.
-
Tennis News
Heather Watson and Cameron Norrie flying the flag for Britain today at Wimbledon
Only four Brits remain.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz finding his feet at SW19 to threaten Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal
He’s becoming a bigger danger to the ‘more experienced.’
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios punished for spitting at fan in Wimbledon crowd
Bad boy Kyrgios handed yet another fine.
-
Wimbledon
Jack Draper suffers defeat but promises to return to Wimbledon a better player
It wasn’t to be this year.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon day four: Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal battle on
Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady won on Thursday to keep the British flag flying.
-
Wimbledon
Alex De Minaur joins girlfriend Katie Boulter in Wimbledon third round
The 20-year-old won the first set on Court One but fell to a 5-7 7-6 (0) 6-2 6-3 defeat.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon: ‘Every day is a challenge’
Rafael Nadal is prepared to grind his way into the second week at SW19.
-
News
Iga Swiatek made to sweat to progress at Wimbledon and extend streak
Karolina Pliskova was the big seed to exit the women’s draw on Thursday while Kirsten Flipkens bowed out.
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios has the belief he can win Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios believes in himself even if nobody else does.