Djokovic expressed that he demonstrated “considerable resilience” in rallying from a set deficit amidst the humid conditions, ultimately overcoming the determined qualifier Yannik Hanfmann to progress to the round of 16.
The 38-year-old Serbian athlete appeared sluggish during the initial set but managed to regain composure, securing a victory with scores of 4-6, 7-5, and 6-3 after a total of two hours and 42 minutes.
In the subsequent round of 16, Djokovic is slated to compete against the unseeded Spanish player, Jaume Munar.
“The enthusiasm of the crowd was a significant boost, and as the second set progressed, I became increasingly engaged,” remarked the world’s fifth-ranked player, who depended on the strong backing from local supporters throughout the entirety of the match.
“I have often been compelled to persevere in matches where my performance may not have been superior – battling through adversity is a recurring theme throughout my career, but I remained determined and displayed significant resilience.”
Hanfmann, holding the 150th position in the global rankings, successfully navigated the qualifying rounds, setting the stage for what could have potentially been only the second triumph of his career against an opponent ranked within the world’s top five.
The 33-year-old captured the first set with a decisive ace, having accumulated 17 winning shots compared to Djokovic’s 10, while the 24-time Grand Slam champion was unable to create a single opportunity for a break point.
Djokovic appeared to be grappling with the intense heat and humidity, as evidenced by his act of pouring water over his head after successfully holding serve for a 3-2 lead in the second set.
“It is exceptionally challenging when humidity levels exceed 80% consistently – particularly for the athletes who are competing during daylight hours under the sun’s heat, making it even more grueling,” Djokovic commented, noting that his match concluded after 9 p.m. local time.
“From a biological standpoint, it presents a greater challenge for me to adapt, but I had to effectively weather the storm today. Yannick delivered an outstanding performance from the outset.”
Djokovic progressively elevated his performance and ultimately generated his first break point opportunities of the match while Hanfmann was serving to remain in the second set at a score of 6-5.
The spectators amplified the noise levels as Djokovic executed a powerful winning shot to seize the set and equalize the match, subsequently gesturing towards his ear in acknowledgement of the supportive atmosphere.
Hanfmann’s precision diminished in the decisive set, and following a forehand shot that landed beyond the baseline, conceding a break to Djokovic at 3-1, the Serbian player served out the set to secure his advancement.
