Tennis - Adelaide International - Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Adelaide, Australia - January 5, 2023 Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his second round match against France's Quentin Halys REUTERS/Loren Elliott

Djokovic Survives Halys Scare, Reaches Adelaide Quarters

Last updated Jan 5, 2023

Novak Djokovic battled back from 5-2 down in the first set to beat Quentin Halys 7-6(3) 7-6(5) and move into the Adelaide International 1 quarter-final on Thursday.

Halys, ranked 64th in the world, has never beaten a top-10 opponent but gave Djokovic a big scare before the former world number one prevailed in two tiebreakers.

Djokovic, who has now won 31 consecutive singles matches in Australia, is preparing for the Jan. 16-29 Australian Open, where he is seeking a record-extending 10th crown.

The Serb was unable to defend his title last year after he was deported on the eve of the tournament for not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

“It was a great performance from my opponent today. I want to congratulate him for his great quality and great fight. Tough luck but he played like a top 10 player today, no doubt,” Djokovic, now ranked fifth in the world, said.

“As far as my game goes, I feel good on the court. I didn’t have such a great start, I lost my serve early. He was serving well, fast, big serves, hitting his spots.

Reuters /Samuel Isaiah