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Novak Djokovic has reached the quarter-finals of the ATP tournament in Adelaide with great difficulty. The 35-year-old Serbian fell 5-2 against Frenchman Quetin Halys in the first set and had to go all out to win the match in two tiebreaks: 7-6 (3) 7-6 (5). It was Djokovic’s 31st straight win on Australian soil.
Vincent Van Genechten
The Serbian 21-time grand slam champion is preparing for the Australian Open in Adelaide, the tournament that he has already won nine times. Last year, the former world number 1 was not allowed to participate in the grand slam in Melbourne because he was not vaccinated against the corona virus.
“My opponent played well, like a player from the top 10 in the world,” Djokovic complimented 26-year-old Halys, who is ranked No. 64 in the world. Djokovic will face Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the quarterfinals.
Vaccination Rules
Djokovic has resigned himself to the fact that he will probably have to miss the masters tournaments of Indian Wells and Miami again. Authorities reported on Wednesday that foreign travelers who want to enter the United States must be fully vaccinated against the corona virus until April 10.
“If it’s official, then so be it. I mean what can I do? Nothing. You know my position and it is what it is,” said 35-year-old Djokovic after reaching the quarter-finals at the Adelaide ATP tournament. “I hope I can participate, but if I can’t travel, it ends.”
Indian Wells is on the calendar from March 6 to 19, the Miami masters tournament is from March 20 to April 2.
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