NOW LIVE IN THE TICKER | Novak Djokovic in the second round duel against Gaël Monfils

2. Runde ATP Madrid: Novak Djokovic – Gael Monfils 6:3

Djokovic mostly secures the big points today – and this time it works with the second serve! A kick serve through the middle surprises Monfils and leads to Djokovic securing the first set.

Again and again Monfils lets its class shine through here. The Frenchman remains stable in his service game and shortens to 3: 5. Djokovic serves to win the set.

But again, Monfils only brings the Serb to the brink of a break. Djokovic also brings the next service game through debut. 5:2

Monfils does that well at times, varying his shots to force Djokovic on the defensive. From his point of view, a breakball should now be converted.

Slight mistake by Djokovic, without pressure, the 34-year-old hammers the ball into the net. But Monfils also leaves a point on the net that was believed to be safe on the other side. 30:15.

Because Monfils makes a double mistake, there are the first breakballs for the Serb, who uses the first one! 4:2

But again Djokovic shows no nerves and fends off this breakball as well. An ace and a powerful longline forehand give him the lead.

And the first rally after the break is the longest of the entire game! Monfils’ forehand from the baseline kisses the line – breakball.

The roof is closed, let’s continue in Madrid!

The rain is getting heavier, all other games are also interrupted. The court on which Andrey Rublev played with his partner Khachanov against Hubert Hurkacz and John Isner should – unlike the center court – not be played on for the time being.

So far, viewers have had to do without the really big highlights. It is noticeable that Djokovic has big problems when he has to come over the second serve. Only two winners are recorded.

Rain sets in in Madrid, the game is suspended. As soon as the roof is closed, we continue.

As soon as Djokovic’s first serve doesn’t work, it gets dicey. Due to the third double fault, the favorite has to go over debut again.

We have not yet seen any particularly long rallies. Both Djokovic and Monfils can largely rely on their serve so far. As soon as it goes into a longer rally, Monfils usually has the upper hand.

Monfils is faster this time: Thanks to his strong first service, the Frenchman puts enough pressure on Djokovic and equalizes. 2:2

But number one on the seeding list keeps his nerve, fends off both breakballs and secures the game.

Djokovic’s second double mistake puts him under pressure, after which he reports back with an ace, but an unforced error gives Monfils the first two breakballs of the game.

Monfils finds it much more difficult in his first service game – and has to go beyond debut. A good first at 215 km/h and a surprisingly aggressive second put the French on the display.

The three-time winner of Madrid starts the match quite confidently. With a clever forehand winner at the net, he gets through the first game. 1-0 for the Serbs.

It starts! Djokovic served. And it’s about to get strange: Monfils throws the ball just a hair’s breadth over the Serbs, Djokovic ducks successfully – and can’t help but smile.

5:35 p.m.: The two protagonists enter the court to the cheers of the spectators.

5:27 p.m.: The game between Kasatkina and Sorribes Tormo is over. The local hero won in three sets 6:4, 1:6, 6:3.

Novak Djokovic is looking for his top form. After the 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner missed important tournaments such as the Australian Open or the Masters competitions in Indian Wells and Miami due to not having a corona vaccination, he still lacks match practice.

The Serb enters a total of eight matches this year, losing three of them. In his comeback a few weeks ago, he lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Monte Carlo, at least he reached the final at his home tournament in Belgrade, but then had to admit defeat to Andrey Rublev.

Meanwhile, Gaël Monfils is having a decent season, beating then number one Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells.

The 35-year-old is determined to break his horror series of 0:17 against Djokovic in Madrid’s Caja Magica today. And the odds aren’t that bad…

The match between Novak Djokovic and Gaël Monfils in the live ticker:

Djokovic against Monfils in the ticker: Welcome

Hello and welcome to the ATP Masters in Madrid. Novak Djokovic gets it in round two in his opening game Gael Monfils to do. Dennis Melzer accompanies the game for you from 4:00 p.m. here in the live ticker. Have fun!