01/19/2024 08:33am. Updated on 01/19/2024 09:14am.
And it couldn’t be done. Although the illusion was intact, Tomás Etcheverry (32nd) could not beat Novak Djokovic (1st) and fell 6-3, 6-3 and 7-6 (2) in the third round of Australian Opena tournament that has left him as the last Argentine standing.
From the first to the last set, Nole has dominated the match. Although there was an even start, The reality is that, as the minutes passed, the legend of Belgrade grew in size until he became owner of the Rod Laver Arena., delivering some exquisite points. Meanwhile, Etcheverry tried to resist the overwhelming level of his rival, but he failed.
From there, it was perceived that Djokovic’s prevalence would continue. Finally, this feeling came to fruition. An important fact is that The native of La Plata could not break his rival’s serve at any timewhile the Serbian did it three times.
This way, Etche says goodbye to Melbourne with a good feeling after eliminating two experienced tennis players, such as the British Andy Murray and the Frenchman Gael Monfils, and standing up to Djokovic, number one in the world ranking, winner of 24 Grand Slam tournaments and champion of ten Australian Opens. Furthermore, his level was approved by the entire public present in the stadium, who gave him a standing ovation after the defeat.
How was the history between the two?
Tomas Etcheverry faced Djokovic in the third round of the Australian Open. (AFP)
Etcheverry and Djokovic crossed paths three times. The first time they saw each other was in May 2023, at the Masters 1000 in Rome, a duel that ended with a victory for Belgrade 7-6 (5) and 6-2.
Almost six months later, they met again in the second round of the Paris Masters 1000, a match that the European also won, in this case by 6-3 and 6-2. Finally, his last meeting was this Friday in the third round of the Australian Open, where Nole beat the Argentine 6-3, 6-3 and 7-6 (2).
Djokovic apologized to Etcheverry
Tomas Etcheverry faced Djokovic in the third round of the Australian Open. (AFP)
During the course of the second set, Novak Djokovic threw a ball that hit the white strip of the net and remained prostrate on the floor of the rival fieldso Etcheverry was unable to make any type of movement to avoid the opposite point.
However, after having won the point, Nole had a kind gesture with the Argentine and showed him the palm of his left hand as a symbol of apology. for what happened.
The future of Nole
Djokovic, unstoppable against Etcheverry. (Reuters)
Also, Novak Djokovic sealed his sixty-third appearance in the fourth round of another Grand Slam tournament and moved closer to maestro Roger Federerwhich with 69 appearances is the one that played the most fourth rounds.
“It was a great match, my best match so far. The first two sets were at a high level”, said the Balkan at the Rod Laver Arena. Now, his rival will be decided between the American Ben Shelton (16th) and the Frenchman Adrian Mannarino (20th).
2024-01-19 11:33:39
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