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Luca Van Assche is the youngest player in the top-100, becoming the first player born in 2004 to join the elite company. Luca showed his rich talent and potential at this week's ATP 250 event in Banja Luka after facing two Major champions.
Van Assche took down Stan Wawrinka in the opening round and challenged world no. 1 Novak Djokovic in the second. Novak prevailed 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 after two hours and 38 minutes to oust the young gun. Novak praised Luca, and the Frenchman was pleased with how he competed, leaving Banja Luka motivated to work even harder.
Djokovic needed time to find the rhythm and outplay the opponent from the baseline. The Serb squandered three set points on the return in the opener's 12th game and lost the set in the tie break before shifting into a higher gear.
Djokovic got broken two times and delivered six breaks to control the scoreboard from set number two. Nothing separated them in the encounter's opening eight games, with no chances for the returners.
Luca Van Assche pushed Novak Djokovic to the limits in Banja Luka.
The Frenchman cracked a backhand down the line winner at 4-4 to create break chances.
Luca seized the first after Novak's forehand error to move 5-4 up and serve for the opener. Djokovic stayed calm and broke back at the last moment after forcing the rival's error to prolong the set. Van Assche served to stay in the set at 5-6 and faced a stern test.
A teenager denied three set points with brave hitting and introduced a tie break. Novak led 3-1 before losing ground after playing a couple of loose shots. Luca gained a boost and clinched the set with a service winner at 6-4 after 73 minutes!
Djokovic made a fresh start in the second set, landing 17 out of 18 first serves in and keeping the pressure on the other side. World no. 1 moved in front with a break in game three after the rival's loose forehand and held at 15 with a forehand crosscourt winner three games later for 4-2.
The Serb forced the rival's mistake in the eighth game to open a 5-3 gap and earned three set points on the return in the next one. Novak seized the second after Luca's loose volley to wrap up the set 6-3 and gain momentum ahead of the decider.
They traded breaks at the start of the final set, and Djokovic grabbed another break in game four with a forced error to move 3-1 in front. Van Assche reduced the gap to 4-2 in game six and served to stay in the match in game eight.
Novak secured another break when Luca's backhand landed long to emerge at the top and make a winning start. "It's an excellent experience for the future, and it can bring me many good things. I stayed on the court for two hours and 40 minutes against world no.
1 and pushed him for three sets. It gives me confidence and shows I'm on the right path. I'm leaving Banja Luka in a good state of mind and can not wait to return to work," Luca Van Assche said.