Google News
Dusan Lajovic acknowledges Novak Djokovic will have the support of the crowd in their Banja Luka match but remains hopeful that he can deliver a good performance against the world No 1. Lajovic, ranked at No 70 in the world, defeated Gregoire Barrere 6-3 6-0 to progress into the Banja Luka quarterfinal.
As a reward for his win over Barrere, Lajovic gets a chance to play against Djokovic for the third time in his career. Previously, Djokovic defeated Lajovic 6-2 6-1 in 2015 Doha before clinching another 6-0 6-1 win over Lajovic in 2018 Monte Carlo.
"For sure, more people will cheer for Nole in our match, but that's not something new. I hope I can enjoy the atmosphere. I'm glad there are a lot of our players who are progressing in the tournament, people like to watch us.
We've all known each other for so long, there are no secrets. He got me pretty smoothly last time, it's going to be a big challenge, but that's the icing on the cake, that's what we're playing for. I will try to relax," Lajovic said, per Sport Klub.
Lajovic routinely beat Berrere to set up a Djokovic match
Lajovic made a quick start to the match as he broke Barrere in the second game and saved a break point in the third game to open an early 3-0 lead. Down by an early break, Barrere quickly recovered as he broke back Lajovic in the fifth game and served out the sixth game to tie the first set to three games apiece.
However, blowing an early break didn't impact Lajovic, who broke Barrere again in the eighth game for a 5-3 lead before serving out for the first set in the following game. After winning the last three games of the first set, Lajovic also won the second set without a dropped game.
Lajovic clinched an impressive win over Barrere and that will certainly provide him a confidence boost ahead of the Djokovic match.