ZCZC
BSP-31
TENNIS-OPEN-AUS-DJOKOVIC
Djokovic powers past Tsonga in 2008 Aussie Open final repeat
MELBOURNE, Jan 17, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – World number one Novak Djokovic
blasted past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 at the Australian Open on
Thursday in a repeat of their 2008 Melbourne final, also won by the Serb.
The top seed vanquished his old French foe for the 17th time in 27 tour
meetings stretching back 11 years and advances to face Canada’s 25th seed
Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
Djokovic, 31, won the first of his 14 Grand Slams in that final against
Tsonga over a decade ago and he said the memories came flooding back as the
pair walked back out on Rod Laver Arena.
“You could feel the tension on court at the beginning. We felt a lot of
emotion but we tried to play a great game,” said Djokovic as both players
took a trip down memory lane.
That occasion remains world number 177 Tsonga’s sole Grand Slam final.
The 33-year-old is on the comeback trail after missing seven months of the
2018 season following left knee surgery that saw his ranking plummet outside
the top 200.
Back in 2008 Djokovic had won in four sets and despite the easier-looking
scoreline the Serb said Tsonga remained a hard opponent.
“It’s always tough to play Jo. He has struggled with injury and his
ranking doesn’t do him justice in my eyes.”
Rain delays earlier in the day meant that the second-round showdown began
at 10.37 pm on Thursday and finished at 12:41am local time Friday after 2hr
4mins of play.
Djokovic thanked the fans for staying for the match. “It’s almost 1:00
am,” he said. “But I don’t feel like sleeping.”
BSS/AFP/BZC/2030HRS