Withstanding the pain of a muscle-tear, Novak Djokovic has made it through the third round of the Australian Open 2021. The Serbian survived five sets against Taylor Fritz, calling it one of the most special wins of his career. However, the way things went over in Rod Laver Arena left his opponent, the 27 seed, dispirited.

The 8-time Australian Open champion started positively with a two-set lead in the match. But towards the end of the second set, Djokovic realized that he had injured himself.

This offered the 23-year-old American a fighting chance to win against the World No. 1 player. However, an untimely play suspension gave the Serbian enough time to recover and win the match.

The final result of the match: 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2.

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Djokovic and Fritz forced to leave the court in the middle of the match

During the second half of the 4th set, the authorities asked the fans and the players to leave the court. The decision was brought in line with Victoria going under a lockdown.

Until that point, Taylor was on his way to cause the biggest upset of the Australian Open 2021. But as fate may have it, Novak Djokovic came back stronger after the suspension and stole the show in the final set.

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“To be honest, like, completely honest, it’s absolutely ridiculous that at a Grand Slam match we’re asked to leave the court for ten minutes in the middle of the match, like, in the middle of the fourth set. That shouldn’t be a thing in a Grand Slam,” Fritz said after the match.

However, the media turned his quotes in the wrong direction, bringing a lot of heat upon him. He immediately clarified his position on Twitter, stating, “Not even close to what I said.” Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude towards the Australian Open organizers.

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Empty stadium hurt Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic survives the pain

Taylor had mentioned that he understood the decision, but then, they shouldn’t have scheduled the match at that time. To play half the match with a crowd boosting him up and half in an empty stadium made the challenge tougher for the American professional.

In conclusion, he opined that it wasn’t the right way to conclude a third-round match of a major tournament.

“I guess not having fans there did – I feel – hurt me because they were kind of pushing for me. But, you know, we still came back and I won the set.

“It’s not like it made that big of a deal. I just think it’s not proper conditions to play a third round of a Slam,” the American had said.

Nevertheless, an uncertain Novak will meet Canada’s Milos Raonic for a seat in the quarterfinals. But can he pull off a win against the former World No. 3?

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