Serbia’s Djokovic Advances To Quarter-Finals At Olympics
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reached the Olympic singles quarter-finals for a record fourth time by beating Germany’s Dominic Koepfer 7-5 6-3 on Wednesday, but looked in the mood to go much deeper in the tournament.
After the emotions in his previous round victory against his claycourt nemesis Rafa Nadal, Djokovic comfortably dispatched the 30-year-old Koepfer after some initial trouble on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Djokovic earned an early service break with an exquisite drop shot but handed back the advantage immediately. Koepfer looked confident after four wins across singles and doubles so far in the Olympic tennis at Roland Garros, but he undid all his good work at 5-6 down.
The German’s bungled drop shot attempt and an errant backhand handed Djokovic the set. Koepfer needed medical treatment early in the second set and his resistance quickly faded as Djokovic recorded his 16th career singles win at the Olympics. It becomes the most by any player since tennis returned to the Games in 1988.
Next up for Djokovic is Greek eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who made the last eight by beating Argentina’s Sebastian Baez.
Second seed Carlos Alcaraz will also aim to reach the singles quarter-finals later when he plays Roman Safiullin, before returning with Nadal for a doubles quarter-final.
All four women’s quarter-finals are on the schedule for Wednesday as the medal rounds loom.
