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By Chris Oddo | Thursday January 18, 2018

 
Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic improved to 15-0 against Gael Monfils with a four-set victory in blistering heat on Day 4 in Melbourne.

Photo Source: Mark Peterson/Corleve

It started terribly but ended decisively.

Novak Djokovic overcame a shaky start that saw him surrender three breaks in the opening set to defeat Gael Monfils, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3, and set up a third-round clash with Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

And just like that the six-time Aussie Open champion has started to build confidence in his first event in over six months. He looks fit. He looks focused, and he used every bit of that fitness and focus to surge past the ailing Monfils as he struggled to catch his breath in the stifling heat, which reached north of 100 degrees and was reportedly measured at over 150 on the court surface.

“I get super dizzy,” Monfils said after the match. “I think I have a small heat stroke for 40 minutes. Couldn't feel like fresh. I try to cool down. But even with the ice towel, the water, I think my body was super warm. Could not, you know, be very fresh after any points, so it was tougher.”


Monfils was able to steal a wild first set but began to wither in the second. As he began to suffer in the heat, Djokovic bore down and started to get the best of the rallies.

He broke late to take the second set then dominated the third.

"The conditions were brutal, that's for sure," Djokovic said after the match. "I mean, we both struggled. Maybe he struggled a bit more, you know, in a period, end of the second set, entire third set. That's where I think I managed to get on top of him, you know, get even on sets, obviously start off well in the third."

The fourth was close, but Djokovic held firm and broke the Frenchman for 5-3 before serving the match out to claim his victory in two hours and 45 minutes.


Given the conditions and the quality of his opponent, it was a splendid success for Djokovic to escape without too much stress on the system. He’s preserved himself well through two rounds and will be able to go after his next opponent with a full tank in what will likely be much cooler weather on Saturday.

 

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