Djokovic edges out Halys in two tiebreaks in Adelaide; plays Shapovalov next

Serb Novak Djokovic, the top seed, advanced to the quarter-finals of the Adelaide International 1 by defeating Frenchman Quentin Halys 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5) at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre on Thursday. Halys, ranked No 64, led 5-2 in the first set thanks to an early break but was unable to push home his advantage.

“It was a great performance from my opponent today,” Djokovic said of Halys in his on-court interview. “I want to congratulate him for great quality tennis and a great fight today. Tough luck, but he played like a top 10 player today, no doubt.”

Halys led 5-2 in the first set

Djokovic won nine points in a row, and 12 of the next 14 points, to draw even at 5-5. He didn’t lose his serve again in the match and he was the better player in the two tiebreaks.

The world No 5 will face Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the No 7 seed, next, 18 months after their clash in the Wimbledon semi-final.

The 35-year-old Serb won against Frenchman Constant Lestienne (6-3, 6-2) ahead of his victory. Halys had beaten Australian wildcard Jordan Thompson (6-3, 6-4) before meeting Djokovic.

Adelaide ATP250, other second-round results (Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, hard, USD 642.735, most recent results first):

• Jannik Sinner vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis : Thursday
• Novak Djokovic (1) beat Quentin Halys: 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5)
• Denis Shapovalov (7) beat Roman Safiullin (Q): 6-4, 6-3
• Alexei Popyrin beat Marcos Giron: 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
• Daniil Medvedev (3) beat Miomir Kecmanovic: 6-0, 6-3
• Yoshihito Nishioka beat Mackenzie McDonald: 6-4, 6-3
• Karen Khachanov (8) beat Jack Draper: 6-4, 6-2

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