Novak Djokovic vs. Frances Tiafoe - Who won their only match?

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Novak Djokovic and Frances Tiafoe will battle in the third singles match of the Laver Cup's second day. Unlike the previous four editions, Team World looks good to challenge Team Europe for the title, with nothing to separate them after the first six encounters. Novak and Frances will battle for the additional two points, facing each other for the second time. Their only clash came at the last year's Australian Open, and Djokovic emerged victorious. The Serb prevailed 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 in three and a half hours in the second round after an entertaining battle. It was Novak's 77th Australian Open victory, and he fired 26 aces to get there. Djokovic lost serve two times and delivered five return games to avoid a decider under a boiling Melbourne sun. Both players had more winners than unforced errors in a high-quality clash, and Novak found an extra gear when he needed it to move over the top and remain on the title course.

Frances stayed in touch with the world's leading player in the mid-range exchanges from five to eight strokes. Still, he lost the ground in the shortest and most extended ones to hit the exit door despite a valiant effort. Djokovic made a strong start, earning a break in game two and fending off two break chances in the next one to forge a 3-0 advantage. Frances pulled a break back in game seven at love following Novak's backhand mistake. The Serb stayed calm and grabbed another return game with a forehand crosscourt winner a few minutes later. Djokovic sealed the opener with a backhand down the line winner in game nine for 6-3 after 33 minutes.

Novak Djokovic defeated Frances Tiafoe at the 2021 Australian Open.

The American came from 40-0 down at 1-1 in the second set with some brave hitting to keep the serve intact and avoid chasing the result. They both served well until the tie break, as the younger player followed the pace of an eight-time winner. Frances opened a 6-3 lead with a perfect drop shot and forced Novak's error in the tenth point right after the return to level the overall score after 96 minutes. The third set was even longer, pushing each other to the limits for another tie break. Djokovic opened a 3-0 lead and wasted more break chances in game four, which shifted momentum to Tiafoe's side.

The American broke back in game five following the Serb's forehand error and served to stay in the set at 4-5. Facing two set points, Frances landed two powerful serves to get out of jail and lock the result at 5-5 ahead of another tie break. With no room for errors, Novak won it 7-2 thanks to a forehand winner, opening two sets to one lead after two hours and 44 minutes and gaining a boost. Tiafoe stayed in touch in the fourth set's early stages before Djokovic grabbed a break with a backhand down the line winner. The Serb delivered another break at 5-3 when the American hit a double fault to seal the deal after a grueling encounter and move into the next round.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/oVdW09j

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