Melbourne (AP) – In the absence of Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic, his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic reached the round of 16 in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
At the Australian Open, the 22-year-old defeated Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who was 25th, in Melbourne 6: 4, 6: 7 (8:10), 6: 2, 7: 5. In the fight for entry into the quarterfinals, the world number 77 enters. against the French Gael Monfils.
Kecmanovic had announced that he would also play for Djokovic and make him proud. Kecmanovic, who had never progressed past the second round of a Grand Slam tournament before, was originally scheduled to play Djokovic in the first round at the Australian Open.
“It’s unbelievable. A week ago I was supposed to play against the number one in the world and hardly had a chance and now I’m in the last 16,” said the Serbian tennis pro. He has not yet been in contact with Djokovic. “I think he’s still recovering from everything and I really didn’t want to bother him.”
Djokovic, the 34-year-old record champion of the Australian Open, had to leave Australia because he had failed to appeal against the annulment of his visa before the federal court.
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