Novak Djokovic poses for selfie with opponent after Qatar Open win
Novak Djokovic, renowned for his sense of humour, posed in a selfie with opponent Horacio Zeballos after making quick work of the Argentine in the second round of the Qatar Open on Wednesday.
As seen in the video below, Zeballos approached Djokovic after the match and asked the 12-time Grand Slam champion for a selfie. Djokovic gladly obliged.
Cuando jugas contra Djokovic lo importante es pedirle una selfie más allá del resultado. Subila, @HoracioZeballos. pic.twitter.com/XH9L5iXcKr
— Marcos Zugasti (@marcos_z) January 4, 2017
After his 6-3, 6-4 victory, Djokovic praised his opponent for originality. "I just have to mention that making a selfie after the match was over, that was the first time that I ever had this kind of experience in my career. So, Horacio, well done. Very original," the Serbian told reporters, via Sydney Morning Herald.
Djokovic, who will attempt to win a record seventh Australian Open title later this month, broke Zeballos once in each set before advancing to the quarterfinals where he will face veteran Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic. "Credit to Zeballos for playing some fearless tennis. He was stepping in and trying to go for his shots. He wasn't backing up to the baseline," said Djokovic who began 2016 with a victory in Doha.
Novak Djokovic to face Radek Stepanek in quarters
Stepanek, 38, is the oldest ATP Tour quarter-finalist since a 42-year-old Jimmy Connors did so at the Halle tournament in 1995. The Czech defeated Belgium's Arthur De Greef to set up a clash with Djokovic.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray, who will enter the Australian Open as the No. 1 seed, was put to the test by Austrian Gerald Melzer in a 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 victory. After the match, Murray praised the 26-year-old for putting up a stern fight. "He (Melzer) played great, great tennis and dominated large parts of the match. I told him at the net he will keep climbing the rankings if he plays tennis like that.
"I played pretty good but he was hitting the ball huge," said Murray, who extended his winning streak to 26 matches and will square off with Spain's Nicolas Almagro in the quarterfinals.
Novak Djokovic lost his world no. 1 ranking to Murray in late 2016 but is the odds-on favourite to win his third consecutive Australian Open title later this month. The Grand Slam gets underway on Jan. 16.
