'How on earth': Tennis world in disbelief over Novak Djokovic act

Novak Djokovic appears to be finding form at just the right time after a vintage display against Aslan Karatsev at the Italian Open on Tuesday.

The World No.1, who has struggled to find any consistency this year due to his inability to play certain events because of his vaccination refusal, opened his Rome campaign with a 6-3 6-2 victory.

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Playing in just his fifth tournament of the year, the 20-time grand slam champion showed some of his vintage scrambling abilities late in the first set to win an outrageous point.

Djokovic ran down one shot near the net post before sprinted back across court to dig out a low backhand volley for a sublime winner.

Karatsev was left gobsmacked after thinking he'd won the point on multiple occasions.

It was the type of point that Djokovic routinely pulled off last year when he came within one match of completing a calendar-year Grand Slam of sweeping all four major titles in the same year.

Playing on a court that is one of his favourites, Djokovic lapped up the applause of the Campo Centrale crowd after bringing many spectators to their feet.

"How on earth has he won that point?" one commentator said.

"How did he track down the angle deep from Karatsev?"

Djokovic later said: "You always hope you can play some exciting and attractive points and come out as a winner of those points and celebrate with the crowd.

"That's what the crowd is looking for — they're looking for energy, excitement, fight and they want to see some good tennis."

The Tennis TV Twitter account described the point as "outrageous", while fans were equally as impressed.

Novak Djokovic finding form ahead of French Open

Djokovic needs to reach the semi-finals in Rome to retain the No.1 ranking, otherwise Daniil Medvedev will take the top spot and top seeding at the French Open.

"You never know with him," Djokovic said about Karatsev.

"If he's feeling the ball, he can be very dangerous because he stays so close to the line, puts pressure on his opponents.

"He was missing a lot of balls today, though. He gave me a couple of breaks there in the first and second sets, but I'll take this win for sure.

"It's a straight-sets win against a quality opponent, and I'm looking forward to the next challenge."

Djokovic missed several key tournaments earlier this year because he was not vaccinated against Covid-19, which led to him being deported from Australia ahead of the year's first grand slam.

Still seeking his first title of 2022, he lost in he Serbia Open final to Andrey Rublev last month before being beaten by 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in the Madrid Open semis last weekend.

Meanwhile, big-serving John Isner eliminated Miami Open semi-finalist Francisco Cerundolo 6-4 6-3 and will next face 10-time Rome champion Rafael Nadal.

"This is a very cool opportunity for me," Isner said.

"At 37, I get another crack at one of the all-time greats."

Isner's doubles teammate Diego Schwartzman, a finalist in the Italian capital two years ago, saved two match points before eliminating Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2 3-6 7-6 (7-3).

Filip Krajinovic knocked out sixth seed Rublev 6-2 6-4, while David Goffin upset 11th seed Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (10-8) 7-6 (7-2).

with AAP

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