Top seed Novak Djokovic has reached the quarter-finals of the Adelaide International where he will face Denis Shapovalov.
Djokovic beat Quentin Halys 7-6(3) 7-6(5) on Thursday, and Canada’s Shapovalov beat Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-3 to qualify.
Djokovic and other top players are using this event as a warm-up for the Australian Open starting January 16. Djokovic missed the Australian Open last year because he wasn’t vaccinated. He was allowed to enter this year as COVID-19[feminine] restrictions have been relaxed.
Djokovic praised Halys’ play in a very close match.
“It was a great performance from my opponent today,” Djokovic said. “I want to congratulate him for his high quality tennis and his great fight today. Bad luck, but he played like a top 10 player.”
Djokovic said he was still trying to get an idea of his game.
“Two tiebreakers were probably the most realistic score of today’s game and I’m just happy to have overcome the tough challenge,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic is undefeated in seven matches against Shapovalov. However, the Canadian may have gained confidence this time around after Canada beat Australia in the Davis Cup final in November.
“Last year we started by winning the ATP Cup and ended it by winning the Davis Cup, so the team events were a good success for me last year,” Shapovalov said. “I’m definitely trying to implement that on the individual side as well, and so far it’s been a good start.”
In the women’s side of the ATP-WTA combined event, former world number one Victoria Azarenka defeated Zheng Qinwen 6-2, 7-5 to reach the quarter-finals.
Azarenka is a two-time Australian Open champion. She will next face Linda Noskova, who beat American Claire Liu 6-2, 6-2.
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