Geneva – Novak Djokovic finally won this season with Clay, beating Merton Fukkovis 6-2, 6-3 in the second round of Rainey Geneva, opening Wednesday.
Djokovic lost two matches at Clay in the European spring season, and his next opponent in the final warm-up event of the French Open is one of the players who have already beaten him.
In the quarterfinals scheduled for Thursday, second seed Djokovic played Matteo Arnald, previously advanced past Fabian Marotzan 6-3, 7-6 (3). Arnardo defeated Djokovic in two sets for the Madrid Masters.
“My first victory at Clay this season is clearly, in a way, it’s great to break the ice. It’s a very tough surface,” Djokovic said in an on-court interview.
He faced a breakpoint chance, landing 73% of his first serve and clinched with the backhand winner with his second matchpoint chance
“If you have a good serve, I think it was my strongest shot,” Djokovic said.
The 24-time Grand Slam Singles champion is seeking his 100th career title on the ATP Tour.
Geneva is a popular stop with players looking to practice more matches before Roland Garros and fourth-placed Taylor Fritz lost their opening match this month at the Rome Masters.
Top seed Fritz this week went on to advance to the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 7-6 (5) victory over French Quentin Harris.
He then plays the sixth seed Hubert Halkach. He also won in two sets against the Frenchman, defeating Arthur Linderneck 6-4, 6-1.
Fourth seed Karen Khachanov retired in the second set of their match, which took place from Tuesday due to the weather, so fourth seed Karen Khachanov has made its way forward. Khachanov will then meet Austrian qualifier Sebastian Ofner, who defeated Nuno Borges 7-6 (2) and 7-6 (4).