Djokovic .. a step on the road to regaining the lead

Melbourne (AFP)

Serbian Novak Djokovic, the nine-time defending champion, had an easy outing against landowner Alex de Manoir, defeating him in three sets 6-2, 6-1, 6-2, Monday, in the eighth final of the Australian Open tennis tournament.
“I wanted to win in three sets. I felt it was my chance to take advantage. Tennis is a fast and dynamic sport, so I kept my focus and played one of my best matches this season,” said the fifth world number, after his easy victory over the world number 22, at Rod Laver Arena in two hours and six minutes. .
And about the injury in his left foot, the former world number one, who has not lost in Melbourne since 2018, said, “I didn’t feel anything today (about the injury). It was great. My medical team did a great job. I don’t want to celebrate early, and I know things can change quickly.” “.
The 35-year-old is looking for his 22nd major title, to equal the record held by his Spanish rival, Rafael Nadal. And if he is crowned next Sunday, he will return to first place in the world for the first time since last June.
Djokovic will meet fifth-seeded Russian Andrei Rublev in the quarter-finals, who qualified with great difficulty against Danish youngster Holger Rohne. He said of Rublev: “He has been imposing himself lately. He has great power in serving and forward balls. I hope to achieve a similar result.”
This is the 54th time he reaches the quarter-finals of major tournaments, four times ahead of retired Swiss Roger Federer.
Djokovic missed last year’s edition for not receiving a COVID-@DIGITS vaccine, knowing that he obtained a visa to enter Australian territory, but was detained at the airport for several days before being deported.