But pn Sunday night, in a raucous and pro-Djokovic atmosphere on center court at the Olympic Tennis Center, he produced one of the most remarkable performances of his career: upsetting Djokovic, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2).
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Juan Martin del Potro, who won the US Open back in 2009, has been in the wilderness since, and after three left wrist surgeries in the past two years, he reached Rio as World No.145.
Djokovic won seven titles this year and now holds twelve Grand Slam titles, including the 2016 editions of Roland Garros and Australia Open. While Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal progressed in the singles with easy wins, the top-ranked Novak Djokovic was not as lucky, losing out to a resurgent Juan Martin del Potro.
“No doubt it’s one of the toughest losses of my life, in my career”, Djokovic, who is still alive in men’s doubles alongside partner Nenad Zimonjic, said after the loss. But you’ve got to deal with it.
Majlinda Kelmendi made history for Kosovo, winning a gold medal in the women’s 52kg judo category – the nation’s first ever medal at the Olympics.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Djokovic had nothing but praise for his close friend, who will face Joao Sousa in Tuesday’s second-round meeting.
[Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images] It was obvious that this was a highly emotional moment for both men after del Potro’s victory, but for different reasons.
“I felt once again I had the capability to play against the best in the world”.
After the rescue act, handball player Fede Pizarro tweeted a picture of him with Del Potro and team-mate Guille Milano.
“It was a wonderful evening from the beginning”, said Del Potro.
Djokovic will be 33 by the time of the Tokyo 2020 Games meaning the Rio men’s doubles could be his best hope of achieving Olympic success. That’s sport. He just came up with some extraordinary tennis and I have to congratulate him.
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A chanting football-like crowd created a spectacle, seemingly cheering for a third set just to see more tennis, with Del Potro’s stunning forehands bringing them to their feet repeatedly. Meanwhile, the defending Olympic champion Andy Murray of Great Britain had no trouble in his first round match, defeating Djokovic’s compatriot Viktor Trocki, 6-3, 6-2.
