WATCH: Novak Djokovic left with no option but to applaud Tomas Machac’s insane drop shot during their thrilling clash in Dubai
Tomas Machac hits an insane drop shot against Novak Djokovic in Dubai Open.
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Tomas Machac with Novak Djokovic
22-year-old Czech Tomas Machac has left the tennis world and opponent Novak Djokovic in awe as he hit a delicate drop shot to win an incredible point during the first round of the Dubai Open. The racket speed to carve underneath a possible passing shot by the Serbian World No.1 and spin it back over the net is making rounds over the internet as expected. Though the match was won by Djokovic 6-3, 3-6, 7-6( 7-1), the fighting spirit and this particular shot by the Czech will be remembered forever.
“You have got to be kidding me,” was the words of the commentator the moment the Czech hits this perfect drop shot. The crowd went wild as Novak Djokovic gave an appreciation with applause upon seeing the shot right in front of him. The shot was hit when the Serbian was leading 4-2 (30-15) in the final set of the instant thriller.
Djokovic was playing his first match on Tuesday after becoming the player with the most weeks as No.1 in the world, beating Steffi Graf’s record of 377 weeks. The crowd welcomed the new record holder with a loud noise. This was also his first match on tour after the epic run in Australia that got him a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam.
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Novak Djokovic will face Tallon Griekspoor in the second round
Looking for a sixth Dubai Open title, the Serbian World No.1 will have to face Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the second round. These two have played only once before. It was in the US Open 2021. The Serbian star swept away the Dutchman in that match, giving away just seven games overall. As a rusty Djokovic got enough practice yesterday against Tomas Machac in round 1 already, the result will not be going to change much here again as per the odds.
The Dutchman moved to the second round after beating a fellow unseeded French player Constant Lestienne. The final score was 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. He hit 11 aces in the match but his groundstrokes don’t seem strong enough to hurt Novak in the second-round encounter.
Novak Djokovic is playing unbelievable tennis since the Covid outbreak. His only loss after the French Open last year came against Holger Rune in the Paris Masters final. He is yet to lose a tennis match this year as well. After winning the first Major of the year with a controversial hamstring injury, a fully fit Djokovic will be difficult to be stopped by here in Dubai as he moves one step closer to a record sixth Dubai Open title.
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Vipul Payattuparambil
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