Novak Djokovic praises Marton Fucsovics after tough win in Doha

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic admitted it wasnt an easy day at the office for him on Wednesday and praised his Hungarian opponent Marton Fucsovics. The first-seeded Serb came from a set down to beat world No. 36 Fucsovics 4-6 6-4 6-1 and reach the Qatar ExxonMobil Open quarter-final.

Djokovic saved two consecutive break points in the ninth game of the first set but the Hungarian converted his third break point to take a 5-4 first-set lead. Fucsovics then had no problems closing out the set as he served out to love the 10th game to take the opener.

Fucsovics, 26, didnt face a break point until the 10th game of the second set when Djokovic converted his second break point of the game — which at the same time was the Serbs second set point — to force a decider.

The Hungarians game then fell apart as Djokovic got off to a comfortable 4-0 third-set lead. Fucsovics got one break back in the fifth game to reduce the deficit to 4-1 but the world No. 1 then won the following two games to avoid any drama and seal the win.

For the first two sets he was a better player. He played really well, smart, changing up the rhythm and the pace of the ball and moving me around. I was kind of in a corner and I had to find my way and fight my way through, Djokovic said post-match, per George Bellshaw.

Djokovic will fight against Nikoloz Basilashvili for a place in the Doha semi-final. Also read: Injury forces Rafael Nadal to withdraw from Brisbane International