atch all the latest updates as Djokovic breezes past Ebden in Olympic Tennis first round. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage.
Introduction:
The Serbian top seed in tennis began his fifth Olympic Games with a stinging 6-0, 6-1 win over Matthew Ebden on Court Philippe-Chatrier. He once again displayed before the world why he should top the rankings, easily progressing into the second round.
Unrelenting performance in the first set
He could hardly lose a point on his serve and pressed six breaks in nine opportunities, converting 63% of the return points. He proved to be a thorn in the side of the doubles specialist, Ebden, dropping just three points in the service games. Serving at a mere 47%, Ebden struggled to keep pace, managing only a few points and succumbing to three breaks that resulted in a bagel.
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Djokovic was dominating right from the beginning. He created two break points in the first game and converted the first with Ebden’s careless volley at the net. Djokovic closed the second game after a deuce with a backhand down-the-line winner and kept on pressing on the return at 2-0. Ebden missed a drop shot to lose serve following a backhand winner from Djokovic. Djokovic held at love in the fourth game and created his third break of serve in the next one after another weak drop shot attempt from Ebden. Serving for the set at 5-0, Djokovic landed an ace for three set points and fired another powerful serve, holding at love to deliver a bagel in just 25 minutes.
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Kept Momentum in Second Set
Djokovic dominated the second set completely. Ebden, feeling the pressure of not being bageled again, went for an underarm serve at 0-40 in the first game, but Djokovic took advantage, securing a break of serve at love after a volley winner at the net. Djokovic then held at love in his next service game to take his tally to 13 consecutive points. Djokovic was solid and relentless in his attack. Ebden was good.
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Ebden indeed did well to make a contest of it in the third game, having saved a couple of break points before rescuing a game point, but Djokovic would not let him get on the board. Following a double fault from Ebden, Djokovic converted his third break point to keep his run intact. Djokovic lost the first two points of the fourth game, but he had little difficulty afterward. He won four straight points, finishing with a service winner, to go up 10-0 through a set and three games.
Brief Respite for Ebden
Ebden finally produced his best game at 0-4, holding serve at love after a rare forehand error from Djokovic, avoiding yet another bagel. But Djokovic wasted no time in reclaiming control of proceedings as he took the sixth game at love with a volley winner to lead 5-1, leaving Ebden needing to serve to stay in the match. A volley winner gave Djokovic match point, which he grabbed with a backhand down-the-line winner to advance to the second round.
Djokovic’s Tactical Genius Explored
Djokovic’s win over Ebden was tactical brilliance, with a great understanding of when and how to charge on his weaknesses. His aggressive baseline play and pinpoint serving gave Ebden very little room to breathe. Djokovic’s consistency in playing at such a supreme level through and through, coupled with his mental toughness, outlined the reasons why he is one of the best players in the world.
Key Statistics
First Set: Djokovic lost only three total points in his service games., converting 63% of return points to breaks. He provided a bagel in just 25 minutes.
Second Set: He was held at love in three of his service games;. He won the first ten games of the match. He finally sealed the victory with a backhand down-the-line winner.
Conclusion: Djokovic breezes past Ebden
Winning against Matthew Ebden in the first round of the Paris Olympics, Novak Djokovic displayed nothing but sheer class. He knew the way he could take over from minute one and then have that mental strength—strategically—was going to make it quick and decisive. Moving into the second round, he once again proved why he is among the best athletes in the world.