Novak Djokovic survives wobble to reach Adelaide International 1 quarter-finals with win over Quentin Halys

Novak Djokovic was handed a stern examination by Frenchman Quentin Halys as he battled into the Adelaide International 1 quarter-finals with a 7-6(3) 7-6(5) victory.

The Serb, playing his second singles match of 2023, was broken in his opening service game and trailed 5-2 in the first set as Halys came out firing.

But the world No. 7, as he has done so often throughout his career, fought back at the crunch point of the set as he broke to love in the ninth game before breezing through the tie-break.

The second set was also tight as Halys hung tough with Djokovic, but the 21-time Grand Slam champion upped his game in the breaker as he progressed to the last eight.

“It was a great performance from my opponent today and I want to congratulate him for a great fight,” said Djokovic.

“He played like a top 10 opponent. He was serving big, hitting his spots and on a fast court like this it’s tough to break, so two tie-breaks is a realistic score in today’s match. I’m glad to overcome the challenge.”

Djokovic will next meet Denis Shapovalov, who overcame Roman Safiullin 6-4 6-3.

The 35-year-old is back in Australia for the first time since his visa debacle last year, when he was unceremoniously deported on the eve of the Australian Open.

The Djokovic saga grabbed headlines across the world in January 2022 after the Serb touched down for the opening Grand Slam of the year unvaccinated but with a medical exemption. His initial visa was cancelled, re-approved by a judge, then revoked again by Australian immigration minister Alex Hawke.

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