French Open 2023: Novak Djokovic vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina preview, prediction and live stream
Novak Djokovic takes on Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for the third time in his career
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Novak Djokovic and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Image via CNN and ATP Tour)
The 2023 French Open has picked up speed as we move to the third round. The remaining 32 players are in for a tussle as 16 will be eliminated before we head into the second week. One of the marquee clashes will be between 3rd seed Novak Djokovic and 29th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. It’s always exciting when Djokovic looks in full form during a Grand Slam. However, this time he is facing a resurgent Davidovich Fokina. Both players are coming on the back of straight-set wins in their second-round matches and are ready to outclass each other.
Novak Djokovic vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina: Match Details
- Tournament: 2023 Roland Garros
- Match: Novak Djokovic vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
- Date: 2 June 2023
- Time: TBD
- Venue: Paris, France
- Round: Third round
- Surface: Claycourt
- Prize Money: $ 74,060
Novak Djokovic vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina: Preview
Novak Djokovic has had a funny 2023. With wins in Adelaide and Melbourne where he made a perfect 10 one can say there were cherished moments. However, post the Australian wins he has looked ‘not Djokovic ‘ with regular pullouts due to injury and also below-average performances. Not making a single semi-final on the clay has been a big change from his previous years. However, it seems the clay warm-up season has been left behind as Djokovic has looked in his element in the first two rounds at Paris. The surface is the same but the style of play has changed. He has looked more aggressive and has knocked both his opponents quite easily.
On the other hand, Davidovich Fokina has made it to the quarters 5 times this season. That’s his best result. It looks like he is trying to push forward and have deep runs, but isn’t that consistent to bring them in. Those quarter-final appearances have been coming in with first-round exits. The Spaniard didn’t have a great Aussie Open as he bowed out in the second round. He would like to change that as he moves into his third-round contest here in Paris. He has looked solid so far losing only one set in the process. The only question for Fokina is whether he can continue this level over the fortnight. It will be a dream result for him to knock out one of the favourites of the tournament.
Both players have met each other twice before. Funnily enough, both encounters took place on the dirt. Both players have won a match each. Djokovic won the first meeting in Rome in 2021 where he thrashed the Spaniard 6-2 6-1. Meanwhile, their second clash showed more of the Spaniard’s resurgence. He fought hard to win the match in three sets. 6-3 6-7 6-1 was the final score. Both will go into this Paris contest with confidence. More importantly for Davidovich Fokina to think that he can beat the Serb on clay.
Novak Djokovic vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina: Prediction
It’s very tough to bet against Novak Djokovic when it comes to Grand Slams. The story seems to be the same with the kind of victories he has had in his opening rounds. However, the Davidovich Fokina match isn’t going to be a pushover. The hard-hitting Spaniard can cause problems. Djokovic will have to be at his defensive best trying to tire out his opponent and wait for the correct attacking option. Back the Serb to take this in 4.
Match Prediction: Novak Djokovic to win in four sets.
Novak Djokovic vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina: Live stream details for the 2023 French Open
- France: france.tv sport, Amazon Prime Video
- Europe (all territories except France): Eurosport
- Austria: Servus TV
- Belgium: RTBR.be
- Switzerland: SRG SSR
- USA: NBC, peacock, TENNIS CHANNEL, Bally SPORTS
- Latin America: ESPN
- Canada: RDS, TSN
- Brazil: SPORTV
- North Africa and Middle East: beIN SPORTS
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Super Sport, CANAL+
- Asia (all territories): beIN SPORTS
- China: China Media Group(CMG), iQIYI Sports
- Taiwan: ELTA
- Vietnam: VTV Cab
- Japan: WOWOW
- India: Sony Ten
- Mongolia: SPS
- Australia: Wide World of Sports
- New Zealand: Sky
- South Korea: CJ ENM
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Manan Mehta
(215 Articles Published)