Djokovic cruises into quarters after win over Koepfer – Olympic men's singles tennis recap

Koepfer tried all the things to remain within the recreation, however, in the end, Djokovic was simply that bit sharper whereas the German could not sustain the tempo he displayed within the first set. Three matches in and Djokovic is but to drop a set at Paris 2024 – he’s wanting mighty spectacular!

First level goes to Koepfer however he fires a drop shot into the web within the following rally. An ace for Djokovic plus a whipping forehand has him serving for the match.

He makes it with a backhand volley close to the web that Koepfer simply cannot attain.

Koepfer begins with an ace and stays dominant to take the sport straight.

What a rally on 15:0 for Djokovic – it is all getting in his favour now. When Koepfer lastly earns an opportunity on the internet, he hits the ball in the exact same.

Dominant serve once more from Djokovic and he takes the sport straight. He is just one away from the quarter-finals now.

Double fault and unforced error from Koepfer, however he retains himself within the recreation. Koepfer then forces Djokovic to stretch after which catches him out in opposition to the route of motion to earn a recreation level on 30-40. Koepfer makes it to shut down his deficit.

As soon as extra, no drama on the serve for Djokovic and the scoreboard is wanting very a lot in his favour now.

Miss from Djokovic to open the sport, nevertheless it does not price him a lot composure. Lengthy rallies once more and Koepfer will get again into proceedings too – he solutions a drop shot from Djokovic on the internet and catches him out in opposition to the route of motion to attain a recreation level on 30-40. Djokovic defends although with a backhand shot down the lengthy line.

The sport goes backwards and forwards however Koepfer takes the benefit and brings his serve house by answering a drop shot from Djokovic shut on the internet.

Too good from Djokovic who sends Koepfer up and down the bottom line. Recreation level on 40-15 and he makes it look easy with a stopp that leads to an unforced error from Koepfer.

The sport is working away from Koepfer now. He’s additionally affected by an open wound on the center finger of his proper hand – he receives remedy with iodine and is in seen ache.

Djokovic is having fun with himself now. It is not that Koepfer is doing a lot unsuitable, however he cannot get a lot reward out of his efforts with Djokovic simply being that bit sharper.

Break level on 40-15 and Djokovic makes it with a smashing forehand return. Break early within the second set.

Solely 56 per cent first serve accuracy from Djokovic, however as soon as he will get the ball in play, Djokovic is dominant – he takes the sport straight.

Unbelievable rally in there as properly with each gamers near the web.

Djokovic makes it 30-0 with two unforced errors from Koepfer, however Koepfer solutions with a robust forehand return. He forces Djokovic to a shot at full stretch and follows it up with a smashed volley to stage.

Nevertheless, Djokovic responds courtesy of a missed stopp and earns a primary set level. Koepfer’s backhand shot is simply too lengthy and the set goes to Djokovic.

Dominant serve from Djokovic although, sadly, it is a internet wire that earns him the sport level on 40-0. He makes it with a cross from close to the web in opposition to Koepfer’s route of motion.

Once more, Koepfer retains aiming for Djokovic’ backhand and sends his opponent up and down the bottom line. Recreation level on 15-40 by means of a excessive stopp-volley and Koepfer makes it with an ace – stage once more!

No drama on the serve for Djokovic this time – pretty serve and volley in there! He achieves a triple break piint on 40-0 and although Koepfer defends the primary, Djokovic makes it on the second time of asking.

What a shot that was in there from Koepfer although: airborne, he fires a two-handed shot throughout the sector and catches Djokovic out by forcing his backhand. Total, Koepfer manages to catch Djokovic out in opposition to his route of motion and makes the sport level on 15-40 with an ace.

Loads of lengthy rallies and Djokovic is the one to modify issues up sometimes – and to good impact. He achieves a recreation level on 40-30 and makes it: he stopps, Koepfer manages to race to the ball, however Djokovic too involves the web and crosses for the purpose.

Djokovic has the brighter begin, however Koepfer responds and turns issues round, particularly with a whipping forehand, going from 30-0 to 30-40. Koepfer brings it house with an impressive serve.

Once more, a drop shot from Djokovic forces Koepfer to slip to the web, however this time he catches it completely and earns himself a double break level on 15-40. Djokovic defends the primary, however Koepfer makes it on the second time of asking with some backhand points for Djokovic – re-break!

First break level of the match on 40-15, however Koepfer defends with a robust serve. An extended rally follows and Djokovic performs a neat stopp to power Koepfer near the web. He simply catches the ball however fires it excessive and out and there is the break for Djokovic.

Shut recreation as Koepfer matches Djokovic on the lengthy rallies, however the Serbian simply has the higher hand general. He misses his first recreation level on 40-15 however makes it on the second time of asking with an ace.

Ace from Koepfer to open the sport and he maintains the higher hand with highly effective two-handed pictures that catch Djokovic out to make it 0-40. Djokovic defends two recreation factors however Koepfer makes it on the third time of asking as he forces Djokovic to successful at full stretch after which catches him out with a volley in opposition to his route of motion.

Some struggles from each gamers early on as Djokovic will get an excessive amount of power on the lengthy line twice and hits out whereas Koepfer lacks some precision on his forehand.

Nonetheless, Djokovic earns a recreation level with an ace that makes it 40-30 and brings it house with one other ace.

Bonjour and thanks for becoming a member of our stay textual content protection of the lads’s particular person third spherical fixture between Novak Djokovic and Dominik Koepfer on the Paris 2024 Olympics. The match is scheduled to get underway at 11am UK time on Court docket Philippe-Chatrier – Djokovic would be the clear favorite going into proceedings, however do not low cost Koepfer who beat Matteo Arnaldi within the earlier spherical and would like to trigger an upset.

With a spot within the quarter-finals at stake, who will come out on prime? We’re about to seek out out!