Novak Djokovic survives scare from qualifier Ivan Gakhov to win on return at Monte Carlo Masters

Novak Djokovic said he won “ugly” on his return to action at the Monte Carlo Masters after fighting off the stubborn challenge of Ivan Gakhov.

World No. 1 Djokovic came through 7-6(5) 6-2 but faced an afternoon of frustration against the world No.198, who had previously played just one tour level match.

It was Djokovic’s first tournament in over a month after he missed Indian Wells and the Miami Open in March due to being unable to travel to the United States because of his vaccination status.

Gakhov was given a position in qualifying as fourth alternate after four other players were removed due to still being in competition elsewhere.

The Russian stunned Adrian Mannarino in the first round of qualifying, before victories over Luca van Assche and Mackenzie McDonald gave him the chance to take on Djokovic.

If Gakhov needed a reminder of the challenge he faced on Court Rainier III, the world No.1 provided it during the first point of the match as he blazed an unstoppable cross court forehand to take the upper hand early on.

However, Gakhov attacked the match with his own aggression and, despite some nervy unforced errors and double faults, took his first service game before giving himself the first chance to break. However, Djokovic saved two break points in the fifth game of the first set to keep the score with serve.

The qualifier was not to be denied twice though and got the first break of the match to take a 4-3 lead as Djokovic hit a loose forehand long at the vital moment.

However, Djokovic was not to be flustered, breaking back the very next game before holding to love and changing the complexion of the match as he put the pressure on Gakhov to hold serve to stay in the set.

Gakhov stood up to the challenge and continued to exchange thrilling rallies with Djokovic, with both players switching up their long and short games. At one point, the 22-time Grand Slam winner could only smile after Gakhov produced the cutest of drop shots on the way to taking the first set to a tie-break.

As Gakhov continued to surprise Djokovic with a delightful array of shots, the Serbian looked towards his box on several occasions to seek advice. The helping hand he needed came from an unforced error from Gakhov, opening up some daylight in the tie-break, which Djokovic eventually grasped to take a hotly-contested first set.

With a fresh t-shirt, Gakhov emerged for the second set with the same intensity, pulling off shots which left Djokovic shouting in frustration.

Audible annoyance from Djokovic turned into whispered pep talks to himself as Gakhov continued to produce excellent winners as the match stayed with serve in the early stages of the set.

There was a relieved release of emotion from Djokovic as one too many double faults from Gakhov allowed his opponent to seize the momentum in the second set with the vital first break of serve.

This proved to give Djokovic the fuel needed to find a higher gear as he showed his ruthless class to sweep Gakhov aside in the next three games to book his place in the next round.

Speaking after the match, Djokovic said: “It was probably, you can call it this way, an ugly tennis win for me today. I haven’t played my best, particularly in the first set. I kind of expected that that’s going to happen in a way with swirly conditions, a lot of wind today.”

“It’s different practicing and then playing an official match on clay. No two bounces are the same. It’s always quite unpredictable what’s going to happen.

“All in all, I just pleased with the way I held my nerves I think in important moments and managed to clinch the two sets win.”

Speaking about the fight of Gakhov, Djokovic added: “I never saw Ivan play before today to be honest. I’ve seen a little bit of his video from yesterday’s match, that’s all.

“He knows how to play. No doubt about it. Big serve, forehand, flat backhand, stepping in so very tricky opponent for today but I’m glad I overcome the challenge.”

Djokovic will face either Luca Nardi or Lorenzo Musetti next.

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