Astana Open LIVE: Djokovic vs Garin Highlights: Novak Djokovic delivered an ominous opening display Wednesday at the Astana Open, where the fourth seed breezed past Cristian Garin 6-1, 6-1 in just 62 minutes at the ATP 500 event. Follow Astana Open 2022 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Fresh from winning his 89th tour-level title without dropping a set in Tel Aviv on Sunday, Djokovic maintained his impressive level in a near-flawless performance on tournament debut in Kazakhstan. The Serbian was in control from the start, finding consistency and accuracy with his groundstrokes to keep Garin under pressure as he converted five from eight break points en route to increasing his ATP Head2Head series lead against the Chilean to 3-0.
Astana Open: In-form Novak Djokovic sails into round 2 of Astana Open, beats Cristian Garin in straight sets – Watch Djokovic vs Garin Highlights
“From the start to the end, [it was] a great performance. Playing in a new tournament, different conditions, the first match is never easy. Obviously, you are looking to see how you are going to adapt, but I did it perfectly, really, played as well as I can. I just made him work and used every opportunity that was presented to me,” said Djokovic after the match.
The win lifts Djokovic one spot to 14th in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin as he attempts to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the 15th time. Thanks to his Wimbledon victory this year, the Serbian only needs to finish in the Top 20 of the Race To Turin in order to qualify for the season-ending showpiece, where he is a five-time champion.
Astana Open: In-form Novak Djokovic sails into round 2 of Astana Open, beats Cristian Garin in straight sets – Watch Djokovic vs Garin Highlights
Djokovic was particularly impressive early against the World No. 81 Garin as he surged to the first set in style with a combination of blistering groundstrokes and clinical serving.
Although Garin fended off a break point to hold for 1-1 in the second set, the Serbian’s level barely dropped as Garin was left helpless in the face of a relentless barrage from his opponent, who finished the match having dropped just six points behind his serve.
With his triumph in Tel Aviv last weekend, Djokovic became the only ATP player to have won titles on clay (Rome), grass (Wimbledon) and hard courts in 2022. The seven-time year-end No. 1 admitted his ability to adjust quickly to new conditions meant he is feeling comfortable in Astana, despite the courts playing considerably slower than those in Israel last week.
Flawless! 👏@DjokerNole dismantles Garin with a 6-1 6-1 victory over the Chilean #AstanaOpen pic.twitter.com/xiHZcxPexa
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 5, 2022
“I was lucky that throughout my career I was actually pretty quick in adjusting to different conditions and surfaces. But I think that experience helps of knowing what to do. But [also] winning a tournament, [as opposed to] losing in a final or semis, makes a difference mentally. Coming into this tournament I feel confident, I feel excited, I feel motivated, so I think that helps as well to adjust quickly,” Novak Djokovic said.
The Serbian’s next opponent in Astana as he chases his fourth tour-level title of the season will be World No. 34 Botic van de Zandschulp.
Astana Open: In-form Novak Djokovic sails into round 2 of Astana Open, beats Cristian Garin in straight sets – Watch Djokovic vs Garin Highlights
— With inputs from ATP
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