Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, world number 1, defeated his compatriot Filip Krajinovic (N.30) in the first round of the Vienna tournament and is close to Pete Sampras’ record as a tennis player who closed the longest in the first world rankings, with six.
Djokovic edged Krajinovic 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 and needs to win his next match in Vienna against Croatian Borna Coric (N.24) to ensure he matches the feat of his childhood idol.
The 33-year-old Serbian tennis player finished in first position in the years 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018.
The one from Belgrade shares that mark with rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Sampras achieved the record consecutively from 1993 to 1998.
The Vienna tournament is held on a hard surface and distributes 1,550,950 euros in prizes.
– Vienna ATP Tournament
– Singles – First round:
Novak Djokovic (SRB / N.1) defeated Filip Krajinovic (SRB) 7-6 (8/6), 6-3
Hubert Hurkacz (POL) bt Attila Balazs (HUN) 6-3, 7-5
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS) 7-6 (8/6), 6-3
Daniel Evans (GBR) to Aljaz Bedene (SLO) 6-3, 4-5 and abandonment. AFP (HN).