Djokovic fights back to avoid breaking year-long record at Banja Luka

Novak Djokovic survived a scare to advance at the Banja Luka Open. The world No 1 was in trouble when he went a set-down to teenage surprise Luca Van Assche but he rallied to come back 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2. 

Djokovic was looking to bounce back from his third-round exit in Monte Carlo as he headlined the Banja Luka Open – where his brother is the tournament director. The world No 1 was a finalist last year when the event was staged in his home of Belgrade but played down his chances earlier this week as he admitted his elbow injury was “not ideal”.

The Serb had a relatively unknown opponent in Van Assche, who defeated three-time Major winner Stan Wawrinka in a tricky opening match. And the teenager proved to be a tough test for Djokovic too, drawing first blood as he broke to lead 5-4.

But the 35-year-old responded and broke straight back as the Frenchman was serving for the set. Djokovic went into another gear as he won four points in a row from 0-40 on Van Assche’s serve to create a set point, saved by the 18-year-old.

Two more set points came and went for the top seed before Van Assche managed to hold and force a tiebreak. Djokovic was the first to pounce as he took an early mini-break lead at 2-1 but the world No 87 fired back to win six of the next eight points, taking the opener 7-6(7-4).

Djokovic regained control in the second set, breaking early on to lead 2-1. The world No 1 tightened things up and cut out the errors as broke for a second time to take the set 6-3, dropping just two points on serve.

Van Assche then broke Djokovic in the first game of the third set as the Serb was unable to make the most of several drop-shot opportunities, but he swiftly broke back despite a stunning shot from the youngster that even left his opposite number surprised.

After groans from the supporters as Djokovic received a time violation for slowing down play, he began to get the better of his opponent as he used his experience to steer himself towards victory and avoid the prospect of losing back-to-back games for the first time in a year.