ZCZC
BSP-08
TENNIS-ATP-JPN-DJOKOVIC
Doubles defeat for Djokovic ahead of Japan Open singles debut
TOKYO, Sept 30, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – World number one Novak Djokovic, forced
out of the US Open with a shoulder injury, suffered a doubles defeat at the
Japan Open on Monday, but proved his recovery is on track.
Bruno Soares of Brazil and Mate Pavic of Croatia beat the 32-year-old
Serbian star and his countryman Filip Krajinovic 6-2, 4-6, 10-4 to progress
to the quarter-finals.
The doubles experts survived Djokovic’s powerful serves with crisp
volleying as their quick court coverage overwhelmed the Serbian pair’s bold
shots.
Top seed Djokovic will make his Japan Open singles debut later this week
playing Alexei Popyrin, a 20-year-old Australian, at the Ariake Coliseum, a
venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
His main challengers in the Japan event will be second seed Borna Coric of
Croatia and Belgian third seed David Goffin.
Earlier this month, Djokovic was forced to pull out of his US Open fourth-
round clash with Stan Wawrinka due to a nagging injury in his left shoulder.
His return means he could play out the season and hold off a challenge to
his number one ranking from US Open winner Rafael Nadal.
Later in the day, 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic of Croatia will face
Yuichi Sugita, entering on a wild card, who leads local hope after Japanese
star Kei Nishikori pulled out of the tournament due to injuries.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1323 hrs