Novak Djokovic scored a doubles victory on Monday on the eve of his singles debut, returning to court at the Paris Masters seven weeks after losing the US Open final.
Djokovic and Serbian compatriot Filip Krajinovic needed a super tie-break to beat Australians Alex de Minaur and Luc Saville 4-6, 6-4, 10/7 in front of a packed bersee field.
“I’ve never played in front of so many people for a doubles match, it’s unbelievable,” said the world number one, whose last doubles match was in Mallorca in June, when he and Carlos Gómez-Herrera won their semi-finals. .
He then withdrew from the final as the Spaniard suffered an ankle injury.
In his first singles match on Tuesday, Djokovic will face Hungary’s Marten Fuskovics, who beat Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/5) on Monday.
Djokovic hasn’t played since Russian Daniil Medvedev shattered his dream of winning a calendar Grand Slam in the final of the US Open in mid-September.
“It’s been a very trying season, but it’s not over,” he said.
“I’m very proud of the way I played at Grand Slams this year, I didn’t end up with a trophy in New York, but there are a lot of things I can be happy with.”
Djokovic lost his first service game to double fault, and surprisingly allowed Krajinovi to defend when the Aussies had a set point, which they won.
The 34-year-old Djokovic, who sought support from the crowd on several occasions, began to gain some intensity at the start of the second set and as the match progressed he reacted with a roar of joy as he and Krejnovic took the second set. set.
“It’s a privilege to play with Novak”, Krajinovic said. “A very good friend and my idol.”
read all breaking news, breaking news And coronavirus news Here. follow us on Facebook, Twitter And Wire.
.