Novak Djokovic happy about intense match
Novak Djokovic is successful for the fourth time at Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC). The number 1 in the world defeated Kevin Anderson in the final of Abu Dhabi 4: 6, 7: 5, 7: 5 and shows itself in remarkable form shortly before the official start of the ATP tour 2019.
by Florian Heer
last edit:
Dec 29, 2018, 08:37 pm
By Florian Heer from Abu Dhabi
You could tell it from Novak Djokovic at every point in the final. He really wanted to win. No more fuzzy shows in the desert. The industry leader quarreled with cunning balls and pushed himself and the audience when the sometimes quite spectacular rallies ended in his favor. Ultimately, Djokovic was also rewarded. With loud support from around 4,500 spectators in the Zayed Sport City and a powerful finish, the 14-time Grand Slam champion was able to secure his fourth title in the capital of the United Arab Emirates after two hours and 14 minutes. There was 250,000 USD as prize money on top.
Djokovic "fueled"
“I'm very happy to have had such an intense match. It was really fun right away, ”said Djokovic, who was already successful in Abu Dhabi from 2011 to 2013.
“Kevin is one of the best players in the world and he was highly motivated right from the start. I struggled a bit at first, but then I got really excited and we both really wanted to win the match, which you could see. It was very tight and you felt a positive tension on the pitch. I also had one of my best match balls ever, ”says a happy Djokovic, who starts the new ATP season against Damir Dzumhur in Doha. He will also compete with his brother Marko in doubles.
"I am happy with the quality of the game," said dethroned defending champion Anderson. “I had three good matches here under competitive conditions. Of course I would have liked to win, but I can also take a lot of positive things with me. ”
Thiem loses again to Khachanov
In the afternoon Dominic Thiem had another assignment in the Zayed Sports City. As substitute for Rafael Nadal, the Austrian competed against Karen Khachanov. The Russian had already defeated Thiem in two sets on the first day of the MWTC. At today's meeting, the number 8 in the world was able to win at least one round, but ultimately had to lose out in the match-tie break. Khachanov won 6: 4, 3: 6, 10: 3.
"Even if it was a bit late, this was my best match in the last three days," Thiem said afterwards. “It was another good preparation. I hope people had fun here today, ”said the Austrian from Abu Dhabi towards Doha.