Novak kicks off 2025 season with win over Hijikata in Brisbane – Novak Djokovic


24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic beat wild card Rinky Hijikata 6-3, 6-3 within the first spherical on the Brisbane Worldwide offered by Evie, on Tuesday night.

The highest seed from Serbia earned a snug triumph towards the house favorite in 75 minutes inside Pat Rafter Area. He broke 3 times from 5 alternatives and didn’t face a single break level through the contest.

It was Novak’s first tour-level singles match since October.

“I all the time count on myself to do nicely on the court docket. A win is a win,” stated Djokovic in his on-court interview. “To start out off the brand new season with a win is essential. I believe Hijikata deserves an amazing spherical of applause for his efficiency tonight, he was actually good. He made me work, undoubtedly, for the win tonight.”

Match statistics: aces (12-7), double faults (0-1), winners (26-15), unforced errors (12-16), complete factors received (61-40).

For quarter-final spot on the ATP 250 occasion, Novak will face Gael Monfils on Thursday. He holds an ideal 19-0 ATP H2H file towards the Frenchman.

Within the doubles competitors, Nole and Nick Kyrgios got here inside two factors of extending their run in Brisbane, however a double fault within the match tie-break proved to be a turning level towards Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus. The highest seeds prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 to maneuver into the quarter-finals.

Picture: Profimedia



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