Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reached the quarter-finals of the men’s singles at the Paris Olympics as he defeated Germany’s Dominik Koepfer in straight sets. Bidding to win his first Olympic gold, Djokovic was given a decent test, but won 7-5 6-3 and will next face Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas after he beat Sebastian Baez. Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz play in doubles later on Wednesday.
Novak Djokovic continued his quest for gold at the Paris Olympics as he reached the quarter-finals of the tennis men’s singles with victory over Dominik Koepfer.
Serbia’s Djokovic was pushed in the first set by world No. 70 Koepfer of Germany in humid conditions at Roland-Garros, but clinched it with his first set point and then pulled away to win 7-5 6-3.
Djokovic, who beat fellow all-time great Rafael Nadal in the previous round, will face Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight as he targets his first Olympic gold.
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Djokovic, who is in his fourth Olympic quarter-final, has won his last 10 meetings in a row against Tsitsipas, including in the finals of the 2023 Australian Open and 2021 French Open.
Speaking about the hot weather in Paris, Djokovic told Eurosport: “It’s very humid. I just hope it rains so it cools down the temperature and the air a bit. But you have to accept and embrace the conditions, it’s the same for you and your opponent so you have to make the best out of it.”
Women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek plays later on Wednesday, while Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz compete in the men’s doubles for Spain.
They will be looking to join Andy Murray and Dan Evans in the quarter-finals after the Great Britain pair pulled off another dramatic victory.
There hasn’t been too much drama at the Games for Djokovic so far, who has won all three of his matches in straight sets.
He was pushed in the first set of his third-round clash by Koepfer, though.
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Djokovic broke for a 3-1 lead when Koepfer went long as he chased a drop shot, only for the German to break straight back as he got into the net and watched a lob from Djokovic sail out.
Koepfer then recovered from 0-30 in his next service game and continued to stay with Djokovic.
The set was eventually decided on Djokovic’s first set point as Koepfer went long.