Djokovic survives Halys scare to sign in for the quarters

Novak Djokovic battled back from 5-2 down in the first set to beat Quentin Halys 7-6(3) 7-6(5) and move into the Adelaide International 1 quarter-finals yesterday.
Halys, ranked 64th in the world, has never beaten a top-10 opponent but gave Djokovic a big scare before the former world number one prevailed in two tiebreakers.
Djokovic, who has now won 31 consecutive singles matches in Australia, is preparing for the Jan 16-29 Australian Open, where he is seeking a record-extending 10th crown.
The Serb was unable to defend his title last year after he was deported on the eve of the tournament for not being vaccinated against Covid-19.
“It was a great performance from my opponent today. I want to congratulate him for great quality and a great fight. Tough luck but he played like a top 10 player today, no doubt,” Djokovic, now ranked fifth in the world, said.
“As far as my game goes, I feel good on the court. I didn’t have such a great start, I lost my serve early. He was serving really well, fast, big serves, hitting his spots in the box very well.
“Just difficult to play in this kind of court that is really fast. It kind of favours the server. If you’re serving well, it’s tough to break the serve of a big server like him, so two tiebreaks were probably the most realistic score.”
The 35-year-old Serbian will next play Denis Shapovalov, who he has beaten in all seven of their meetings. “Denis is one of the most complete players out there, he’s got a very dynamic style of tennis, a big serve, comes to the net and (he is) comfortable playing from the back of the court,” Djokovic added.
“He’s a very great athlete, moves fantastically. We haven’t played for a while so I’m looking forward to that. Every match now gets tougher, I’m going to be ready for that.”
Djokovic, meanwhile, said he had no choice but to sit out tournaments in the United States after authorities said non-nationals will need to have had Covid-19 vaccinations to enter the country.
The US Transportation Security Administration on Wednesday said the requirement for foreign air travellers to be fully vaccinated against the disease would be in place until April 10.
That would mean Djokovic would miss the hardcourt ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells, which runs from March 6-19, as well as the Miami Open from March 20 to April 2.
“Look, if it is official, then it is. I mean, what can I do? Nothing, that’s it. You know my position. It is what it is,” Djokovic told reporters after he advanced to the quarter-finals of the Adelaide International 1 yesterday.
“I’m hoping (to participate), but if I can’t go, I can’t go.”
Djokovic missed the tournaments last year as well and he was unable to travel to New York in August for the US Open without proof of vaccination.
The 35-year-old was also unable to defend his Australian Open crown last year after being deported from the country on the eve of the hardcourt major due to his unvaccinated status.
The 21-times Grand Slam winner was, however, granted a visa this year after Australia scrapped a rule that required international travellers to declare their Covid vaccination status. He won the Wimbledon title last year.