He pulled out all the stops! In front of his family and a crowd eager to be won over, Novak Djokovic defeated Marton Fucsovics 6-2, 6-3 in a round-of-16 match that had all the makings of a potential trap. This first clay-court victory of the year, earned with real flair and without facing a single break point, is sure to be the first of many. That much is certain.
And perhaps the next will come as early as this Thursday, against Matteo Arnaldi, the very player who beat him last month in Madrid. “If I play at the same level as I did against Fucsovics, I can beat any opponent,” admitted Novak Djokovic. “My serve and forehand were working beautifully.” His backhand was just as effective, particularly the down-the-line shot that sealed the first set in style.
This Thursday, on his 38th birthday, Djokovic knows he’ll need to tighten his game even further against Matteo Arnaldi. In Madrid, the player from San Remo had defeated him 6-3, 6-4 with an exceptional performance. In Geneva, Arnaldi saw off Hugo Gaston and Fabian Marozsan to set up another showdown with the world No. 1.
Often overshadowed by Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Arnaldi is also a testament to the depth of Italian tennis, which continues to produce top-tier talent. Novak Djokovic knows it—and he’s fully aware of the danger that lies ahead.
