(Tennis news) On Thursday, Djokovic will play Gael Monfils after winning the Western & Southern Open in 2018 and 2020 (when it was played in New York).

With 46 minutes left in the competition, Davidovich Fokina quit early from the tournament owing to a back ailment after leaving the court for a medical timeout late in the first set.

“I hope Alejandro bounces back to the court quickly, recovers from his lower back injury, that’s what he told me at the net,” Djokovic said post-match.

“It’s never the way you like to win, I think for the crowd as well. Coming in, they expect to see a battle, they expect to see a match. Of course it’s great for me to be able to come back to the court and win a match. Obviously mixed emotions with the way it finished. Nevertheless, I’m hoping that I can build my form day to day and progress through the tournament with raising the level.”

The Serbian began to find his footing against the Toronto semifinalist after a shaky start in which Djokovic saved two early break points and took control of the baseline rallies. The final three games of the set were all against serve until Davidovich Fokina left the court for medical attention at 3-4.

“He’s an amazing guy. Someone I truly respect and like a lot as a person,” he said of the Frenchman. “He brings so much joy to the fans, so much entertainment. One of the most charismatic players that we’ve had in the past two decades on the Tour.

“It’s great to see him back after several years of struggling with injuries. He’s playing as good as ever. He’s a year older than me. Everybody talks about my age, but what about him! He’s doing amazing, so it’s going to be a duel of the veterans tomorrow I guess.”

Both men are 36 at the moment, but Monfils will turn 37 on September 1 during the US Open.

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