Clinical Djokovic dismantles Safiullin to open Monte-Carlo campaign in style
The Serb was in typically imperious form as he swept aside Safiullin 6-1, 6-2 to reach the second round in Monaco
Novak Djokovic in Monte-Carlo (Antoine Couvercelle/Panoramic)
Novak Djokovic was back to his devastating best as he swatted aside the potentially troublesome challenge of Roman Safiullin, beating the Russian 6-1, 6-2 to open up his Monte-Carlo Masters campaign in ominous style.
The courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club have proved to be a difficult hunting ground for Djokovic in recent years, and the world No 1 faced question marks around his form coming into this tournament after a stuttering first three months of the season.
Against a tricky opponent in world No 41 Safiullin, it could have been another tough day in Monte-Carlo for the Serb.
But any concerns were quickly dispelled once Djokovic raced into a 4-0 double-break lead to leave Safiullin chasing from the start.
The match quickly descended into an exhibition of Djokovic’s supreme confidence and ability on clay as he glided around the court with consummate ease to pick apart his opponent’s game.
Three breaks of serve in the first set and two in the second were more than enough for the world No 1 to seal the match and assert instant authority over the rest of the Monte-Carlo field. This was something much-needed after a difficult start to the year.
Djokovic won nearly double the number of points and four times the number of games as his opponent, as Safiullin failed to carve out a single break point opportunity.
djokovic wins first match as oldest no 1 in atp history
Having recently become the oldest world No 1 in ATP rankings history, Djokovic was asked what yet another astounding record means to him during his on-court interview.
“I mean, it’s nice. It’s great,” he said.
“I met Bopanna yesterday who’s the oldest doubles No 1 in history. He said we have a combined age of 80. He does contribute to the 80 more than I do.
“But it’s fun. To still compete at the highest level and be No 1 at age almost 37. It’s not something I was honestly dreaming of, or planning, or thinking would become reality.
“I think all the work and dedication to the sport and to my body and staying fit is paying off. I’ve been able to maintain the longevity and extend the career for years and years.”
Djokovic has set up an intriguing second-round clash as he will take on the winner of the match between Arthur Fils and Lorenzo Musetti, his 2023 Monte-Carlo conqueror, next.
As for Safiullin, he will have easier days on the tennis court. Despite the one-sided nature of the defeat, he will be aware that there was little he could have done against Djokovic’s statement performance today.
It remains to be seen whether the 24-time Grand Slam champion can replicate this sort of form throughout the tournament in order to clinch his first title in an otherwise lean 2024 campaign thus far.
Monte-Carlo Masters 1000, other second-round results (Monte-Carlo Country Club, clay, EUR 5.950.575, most recent results first):
- Sebastian Korda vs. Jannik Sinner
- Miomir Kecmanovic vs. Grigor Dimitrov
- Holger Rune vs. Sumit Nagal
- Karen Khachanov vs. Francisco Cerundolo
- Alejandro Tabilo vs. Casper Ruud
- Hubert Hurkacz vs. Roberto Bautista Agut
- Zhizhen Zhang vs. Ugo Humbert
- Lorenzo Sonego vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Alexei Popyrin vs. Andrey Rublev
- Alex De Minaur vs. Tallon Griekspoor
- Borna Coric vs. Jan-Lennard Struff
- Alexander Zverev vs. Sebastian Ofner
- Arthur Fils vs. Lorenzo Musetti
