The French Open draw has been made and the race to this year’s title will get off the line on Sunday with the defending champion, Novak Djokovic – despite being favourite – arriving at Roland Garros without his usual invincible mantle hanging over his shoulders.
Of course I am worried… I haven’t been playing good at all this year Novak Djokovic
The world No.1 from Serbia requested and received a wildcard into the Geneva Open, a lowly 250 level event, and was expected to walk through the field in an attempt to fully prepare for the second grand slam of the season following what for him, has been a lacklustre year – six tournaments, no title and a 14-6 win-loss record.
In Geneva he managed to score two of those wins to reach the semis, but his run was brought to an abrupt end by the Czech Tomas Machac who progressed to the final after securing a 6-4 0-6 6-1.
Djokovic got off to a good start to lead 4-2 but then fell apart. He began complaining and was looking uncomfortable at the change overs with the heat. That all changed in the second where he ran off with the set to deliver a bagel but thne fell apart again!
“Of course I am worried… I haven’t been playing good at all this year,” Djokovic admitted about his form prior to the French Open.
“[I’ve had] some [good] matches here and there but it is what it is. You have to accept it. I don’t consider myself a favourite there. I’m going to take it match by match and see how far I can go.”
After the best win of his career, Machac will take on the winner of the Flavio Cobolli and Casper Ruud encounter in the final following suspension of their semi, suspended overnight due to the arrival of rain. The winner will have to play two matches on Saturday which will give a well-rested Machac the edge in the final
The Serb will now have three full days to ready himself for Roland Garros when he is due to launch his campaign against local boy Pierre-Hughes Herbert on Tuesday.
“It was good that I could come here and play more than one match. I played three,” Djokovic added. “I just need to feel better. It’s not enjoyment when you are suffering on the court feeling this way. You’re not able to focus on tennis when you have other stuff happening. I just hope I can be fit and ready and prepared for Roland Garros.”
Meanwhile at the Lyon ATP 250 event in France, Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry (6) will face the French wild card Giovanni Mpetshi Perricaro for the Open Parc title.
