Novak Djokovic
The 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic begins his Tel Aviv Open campaign against the experienced Spaniard Pablo Andujar in the round of 16 on Thursday.
The legendary Novak Djokovic has not played too often this year. The reason is primarily because of his unvaccinated status. As per the rules in various countries, unvaccinated foreign travelers are not allowed to enter and that has resulted in Djokovic’s fans getting to watch very little of him this year.
However, the Serbian superstar has made a lasting impression in most of the tournaments he has played so far. He began 2022 with a run to the quarter-finals in the Dubai Tennis Championships. He narrowly missed out on the Serbia Open title, losing to Andrey Rublev in the final. Djokovic made it to another final in the Italian Open but his biggest triumph came at Wimbledon. The 35-year-old won his 21st major title and closed in on Rafael Nadal.
The veteran Spaniard made it to the quarter-finals at the Rio Open, where he lost to Diego Schwartzman. In the Mexican Open, he progressed to the round of 16. Andujar managed to reach the semi-finals in a Challenger event in Marbella. The 36-year-old was the runner-up at the Concord Iasi Open.
In the first round of the Tel Aviv Open, Andujar defeated Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro in straight sets 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 to set up a date with Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic leads the head-to-head scoreline 2-0. Their paths crossed 10 years ago at the Indian Wells when Djokovic won the match 6-0, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2.
Prediction: Novak Djokovic to win in straight sets.
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