Djokovic Goes 3 To Beat Van Assche In Banja Luka; Rublev Thurs.

Star attraction Novak Djokovic had to rally from a set down to deny teen Luca Van Assche 6-7(4-7), 6-3, 6-2.

The 18-year-old Van Assche in stunning fashion served for the set but needed a breaker to finally take the opener against the World No.1

Djokovic mounted a charge in the second breaking for 2-1, and that was all he would need. In the third
Djokovic, the two traded early breaks before Djokovic finally pulled away from the talented 18-year-old from France.

“It wasn’t easy,” Djokovic said on court. “This would probably rank as the slowest court, slowest conditions I’ve ever played in, to be honest. I couldn’t penetrate through the court. I couldn’t put any ball past him.

“He was on every single ball for a set-and-a-half until I started to get some rhythm going,” he added. “I’m happy with the way I finished the match. Of course I can always play better, but a win is a win.”

Djokovic countryman Laslo Djere had a good win taking out 3rd-seeded Borna Coric 6-4, 6-7(1-7), 6-4.

Other matches saw Alex Molcan had to work to eliminate Alexei Popyrin 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 7-5. (27y,91r) Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas moved past Hugo Gaston 7-5, 6-3. Damir Dzumhur crushed Liam Broady in straights 6-3, 6-0 and Eighth-seeded Gregoire Barrere sent off teen Hamad Medjedovic 7-6(8-6), 7-5. Also, the 6th-seeded Jiri Lehecka eliminated the popular Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-3.

On tap Thursday, matches include in second round play with Monte Carlo champion Andrey Rublev faces Juan Pablo Varillas in a first-time tour-level meeting. No. 4 Miomir Kecmanovic locks up with Abdullah Shelbayh and Lehecka draws Radu Albot. Barrere lalso takes on Lajovic with the winner to get Djokovic on Friday.