Srpska Open: Djokovic survives Van Assche scare, reaches Banja Luka quarterfinals

The 22-time Major winner Djokovic won 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 against the 18-year-old Van Assche in two hours 38 minutes to reach the quarterfinals in Banja Luka.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns a ball to Luca Van Assche of France during their second-round match at the Srpska Open in Banja Luka, Bosnia on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: AP

World No.1 Novak Djokovic was forced to come from a set down to beat French teenager Luca Van Assche in the second round of the Srpska Open, an ATP250 event, in Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.

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The 22-time Major winner Djokovic won 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 against the 18-year-old Van Assche in two hours 38 minutes to reach the quarterfinals.

Top-seeded Djokovic squandered three set points in the opener before Van Assche took the tie-break, but the Serbian broke twice in the second set to force a deciding set.

He dropped serve right away to start the third set but then broke Van Assche twice in a row, with Djokovic grasping control to eventually put away his 18-year-old opponent.

“It wasn’t easy. This probably will rank as the slowest court and slowest conditions I’ve ever played in. I didn’t expect this to be so slow,” said Djokovic.

“I couldn’t put any ball past him. He was on every single ball for a set and a half until I started to get some rhythm going and some tempo.”

He added: “I’m happy with the way I finished the match. Of course I can always play better but a win is a win.”

Former French Open junior champion Van Assche, the youngest player in the world’s top 100 at number 87, had served Djokovic ample warning of his potential by beating Stan Wawrinka in round one.

Job done 🙌@DjokerNole rallies past Luca Van Assche 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2 at Banja Luka. #SrpskaOpenpic.twitter.com/z27cuwm03t

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 19, 2023

Djokovic said on Monday his elbow was not in “ideal condition” following a third-round exit last week at the Monte Carlo Masters, during which he was broken eight times by Lorenzo Musetti.

Van Assche earned the first break of the match for a 5-4 lead but failed to serve out for the set. He then saved three set points at 5-6 before eventually taking a surprise lead.

For the second set Djokovic disposed of the black compression sleeve on his right arm he also wore in Monaco, sweeping through without offering Van Assche a single break opportunity.

Despite falling behind to begin the third set, Djokovic recovered swiftly and sealed victory after two hours and 38 minutes.

The Serb, who is bidding for a record 23rd men’s Grand Slam title at the French Open next month, will play countryman Dusan Lajovic or Gregoire Barrere of France in the quarterfinals.