Mister Novak is taking off?

A set lost in the first round against Majchrzak, but Djoko recovered perfectly afterward and shouldn’t have a slow start a second time.

A bit bothered by the wind and not realistic at all at first, Djoko was rusty for his comeback. Let’s remember he’s only played the Australian Open and he didn’t shine there. For his return to competition, he’s back at a tournament he doesn’t really like; he often comes just to get some rhythm back and without any real ambition, let’s say (even though we know what a competitor he is). In previous years he’s lost to players well below his level at this tournament, and this first round makes me think we’re not going to see him go very far… This round of 32 is winnable, he can still get through it thanks to his experience and match management, but I don’t expect it to be a walk in the park because his opponent is in form! And yes, Kovacevic is having a big start to the season and wants to take another step; I love what he shows on court, his game is simple and even if he’s missing that little something extra to smash through his glass ceiling, he’s got solid fundamentals.

His first two rounds are almost perfect; you can say that Hurkacz played badly and that Moutet was sick, but that doesn’t take anything away from his own level. Serve is on point, forehand lethal but backhand shaky; he’s going to struggle on that side but he can do enough damage in the first few shots of the rally. Djoko has already beaten him on clay at Roland, but form/momentum changes as well as the surface. I can see Kovacevic being able to grab a set on hard at home, especially against a Djoko who’s still getting his rhythm back and isn’t in Slam mode. The Serb is still beatable in this kind of tournament, without going overboard either—I’m not saying everyone can beat him. You have to be excellent and play it just right. Do you think Kova is capable of that?