By: Kwame Bediako
Novak Djokovic finally found his footing on clay this season, securing a crucial 6-2, 6-3 victory over Marton Fucsovics at the Geneva Open to advance to the quarterfinals. This win marks a turning point for the Serbian superstar, who had struggled in his previous clay-court outings, including losses to Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo and Matteo Arnaldi in Madrid.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion dominated the match, showcasing his exceptional serving skills, which proved pivotal to his success. Djokovic’s impressive serve allowed him to claim free points and navigate through challenging moments in the game.
“My first win this season on clay. It’s great to break the ice,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic’s statistics from the match underscore his dominance. He achieved a first-serve rate of 73%, won 80% of those points, and held his serve throughout without facing a single break point. In contrast, Fucsovics struggled with his service game, managing only a 57% first-serve rate. This disparity ultimately decided the outcome of the match.
The win sets up an intriguing quarterfinal matchup for Djokovic against Matteo Arnaldi, who defeated him in Madrid just last month. Djokovic is keen to avenge that loss as he chases his 100th career ATP Tour title and builds momentum ahead of the French Open.
“All the way through, I was quite focused and pleased with the level of tennis, so hopefully, that can continue tomorrow,” Djokovic noted, expressing optimism for the matches ahead.
