‘Novak Djokovic is very confident but will also have the pressure to represent his country and achieve the Golden Slam’: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina


‘Novak Djokovic is very confident but will also have the pressure to represent his country and achieve the Golden Slam’: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Novak Djokovic

Spain’s, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will face Serbia’s, Novak Djokovic in the third round of the Men’s singles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This will be the 2nd meeting between the duo who last met in Rome in 2021 in the round of 16 where Djokovic took the win in straight sets.

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Fokina made his debut at the Olympic Games and is seeded number 16 in Tokyo. In the first round, Fokina faced Portugal’s Pedro Sousa and was able to take the win easily in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0. In the second round, he had a tougher fight against world number 44, John Millman. Fokina took the first set but lost in the second set tiebreaker which led to decider set where Fokina eventually took the win, 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 and secured his place in the third round where he will face world number 1, Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic is competing in his 4th Olympic Games this year. In Beijing 2008, Djokovic won the bronze medal and in London he finished fourth after losing the bronze medal match to Juan Martin Del Potro. After a disappointing loss in the first round of the 2016 Rio Games, the Serbian will be hoping to win the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Olympic gold is the only title he has yet to claim and winning this year will get him one step closer to achieving the Calendar Golden Grand Slam after having won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon this year.

Fokina is hoping to beat the 20-time Grand Slam Champion by relying on the pressure that could potentially suffocate the Serbian. He commented on his upcoming match to the International Tennis Federation.

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Alejandro Davidovich Fokina: “I think of winning no matter who is in front of me”

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

“We were in quarantine and we were the only ones in Marbella, so we started training before we got back from the tour, which allowed us to have a good relationship. He’s a great guy and I learned a lot from him because he gave me a lot of advice” Fokina said.

“Although he is a tough opponent, he can be beaten. In fact, there are people who have beaten him and every time I go on the field, I think of winning, no matter who is in front of me. He’s very confident, but I think he will also have the pressure to represent his country and achieve the Golden Slam. I don’t think it will be easy to manage” he added.

Also read: Tennis at Tokyo Olympics 2020: Novak Djokovic vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina LIVE stream: When, Where, and How to Watch