Novak Djokovic clicks into top gear with a thrilling win against Taylor Fritz
Novak Djokovic confirmed he is starting to find his best form after a sparkling performance saw him beat in-form Taylor Fritz in straight sets.
Djokovic beat Fritz 6-4 6-3 and the level of his play was incredibly high from the first point, with a couple of minor dips in form quickly corrected as sealed a comfortable win.
“I was absent from the tour for two months, coming into this tournament, and the last competitive match I played was in the US Open final, compared to the other guys playing one or two events prior to Paris,” said Djokovic.
“I knew that I needed to start well, with good intensity and put in a lot of hours on the practice court. But it’s different when you play points in a competitive match.
“I am pleased with the way I played against (Marton) Fucsovics (in the second round) and today I did have ups and downs.
“I am not really pleased with the way I closed out the sets. I lost my serve to love (at 2-0 up in the first set), then (at) 5-3, again, I served for it with new balls and lost to love again.
“Those kind of things shouldn’t happen, I know that. I backed myself up with good returns and read Taylor’s serve very well to get into rallies. I closed out the last couple of service games well and that’s a positive.”
Djokovic is now closing in on claiming the year-end world No.1 for a seventh time, which would move him ahead of current record holder Pete Sampras.
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