in the Olympic Games gold medal clash
Published August 3, 2024 23:16
by Jovica Ilic
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Watch: Novak Djokovic trains ahead of ultimate Carlos Alcaraz clash
© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport
World no. 2 Novak Djokovic trained with Felix Auger-Aliassime on Saturday, preparing for Sunday’s gold medal match at the Paris Olympics. Novak passed the semi-final obstacle at the Olympic Games for the first time in a career, beating Lorenzo Musetti and securing his second Olympic medal, the first in 16 years. The Serb and the Italian met for the second time within a couple of weeks. Novak celebrated a 6-4, 6-2 victory, feeling no pain in his troubled knee and moving into the title clash against Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic injured his right knee two months ago at Roland Garros, withdrawing ahead of the quarter-final and undergoing surgery. The Serb showed incredible mental and physical stamina, returning to the practice court ahead of Wimbledon and entering the third Major of the season. Novak survived a couple of tough challenges without playing a decider, preserving energy and welcoming Alex de Minaur’s withdrawal.
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Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics
Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport
Novak Djokovic trained on Saturday ahead of the Paris Olympics gold medal clash.
Djokovic took down Musetti in the semi-final and battled against Carlos Alcaraz in the title clash. Like a year ago, the Spaniard overpowered the Serb, scoring a one-sided 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 victory in two hours and 27 minutes. Novak took a couple of days off before returning to clay ahead of his second visit to Roland Garros. Djokovic kicked off his fifth Olympic Games campaign as the top seed. He defeated Matthew Ebden, Rafael Nadal and Dominik Koepfer en route to the quarter-final. Novak faced Stefanos Tsitsipas in a battle for a place in the semi-final, seeking his first top-10 victory of the season. The knee pain almost ruined it, with the Serb trailing 4-0 and 5-2 in the second set. Tsitsipas had three set points on serve in the tenth game, missing them and allowing Djokovic to perform a comeback and earn a 6-3, 7-6 triumph, becoming the first player with four semi-finals at the Olympic Games.
Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics
Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Matthew Stockman / Staff – Getty Images Sport
Losing the previous three, Novak was eager to change that against Lorenzo. The Serb played well on serve and return, losing serve two times in a row early in the second set but securing five straight return games to control the scoreboard and move into the gold medal clash. Novak grabbed a break in the tenth game of the opening set, clinching it 6-4. The second set kicked off with four breaks, and Djokovic raised the level behind the initial shot after that. Musetti could not follow that pace, getting broken four times from as many service games and propelling the 24-time Major winner through. Novak will seek the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, the only notable title missing in his collection.
Novak DjokovicCarlos AlcarazOlympic Games
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