Djokovic cruises into quarters after win over Koepfer – Olympic men's singles tennis recap

Koepfer tried everything to stay in the game, but, ultimately, Djokovic was just that bit sharper while the German couldn’t keep up the pace he displayed in the first set. Three matches in and Djokovic is yet to drop a set at Paris 2024 – he is looking mighty impressive!

First point goes to Koepfer but he fires a drop shot into the net in the following rally. An ace for Djokovic plus a whipping forehand has him serving for the match.

He makes it with a backhand volley near the net that Koepfer just can’t reach.

Koepfer starts with an ace and remains dominant to take the game straight.

What a rally on 15:0 for Djokovic – it’s all going in his favour now. When Koepfer finally earns a chance at the net, he hits the ball in the very same.

Dominant serve again from Djokovic and he takes the game straight. He is only one away from the quarter-finals now.

Double fault and unforced error from Koepfer, but he keeps himself in the game. Koepfer then forces Djokovic to stretch and then catches him out against the direction of movement to earn a game point on 30-40. Koepfer makes it to close down his deficit.

Once more, no drama on the serve for Djokovic and the scoreboard is looking very much in his favour now.

Miss from Djokovic to open the game, but it doesn’t cost him much composure. Long rallies again and Koepfer gets back into proceedings too – he answers a drop shot from Djokovic at the net and catches him out against the direction of movement to achieve a game point on 30-40. Djokovic defends though with a backhand shot down the long line.

The game goes back and forth but Koepfer takes the advantage and brings his serve home by answering a drop shot from Djokovic close at the net.

Too good from Djokovic who sends Koepfer up and down the base line. Game point on 40-15 and he makes it look effortless with a stopp that results in an unforced error from Koepfer.

The game is running away from Koepfer now. He is also affected by an open wound on the middle finger of his right hand – he receives treatment with iodine and is in visible pain.

Djokovic is enjoying himself now. It’s not that Koepfer is doing much wrong, but he can’t get much reward out of his efforts with Djokovic just being that bit sharper.

Break point on 40-15 and Djokovic makes it with a smashing forehand return. Break early in the second set.

Only 56 per cent first serve accuracy from Djokovic, but once he gets the ball in play, Djokovic is dominant – he takes the game straight.

Incredible rally in there as well with both players close to the net.

Djokovic makes it 30-0 with two unforced errors from Koepfer, but Koepfer answers with a strong forehand return. He forces Djokovic to a shot at full stretch and follows it up with a smashed volley to level.

However, Djokovic responds courtesy of a missed stopp and earns a first set point. Koepfer’s backhand shot is too long and the set goes to Djokovic.

Dominant serve from Djokovic though, unfortunately, it’s a net cord that earns him the game point on 40-0. He makes it with a cross from near the net against Koepfer’s direction of movement.

Again, Koepfer keeps aiming for Djokovic’ backhand and sends his opponent up and down the base line. Game point on 15-40 through a high stopp-volley and Koepfer makes it with an ace – level again!

No drama on the serve for Djokovic this time – lovely serve and volley in there! He achieves a triple break piint on 40-0 and though Koepfer defends the first, Djokovic makes it at the second time of asking.

What a shot that was in there from Koepfer though: airborne, he fires a two-handed shot across the field and catches Djokovic out by forcing his backhand. Overall, Koepfer manages to catch Djokovic out against his direction of movement and makes the game point on 15-40 with an ace.

Plenty of long rallies and Djokovic is the one to switch things up occasionally – and to good effect. He achieves a game point on 40-30 and makes it: he stopps, Koepfer manages to race to the ball, but Djokovic too comes to the net and crosses for the point.

Djokovic has the brighter start, but Koepfer responds and turns things around, especially with a whipping forehand, going from 30-0 to 30-40. Koepfer brings it home with a magnificent serve.

Again, a drop shot from Djokovic forces Koepfer to slide to the net, but this time he catches it perfectly and earns himself a double break point on 15-40. Djokovic defends the first, but Koepfer makes it at the second time of asking with some backhand issues for Djokovic – re-break!

First break point of the match on 40-15, but Koepfer defends with a strong serve. A long rally follows and Djokovic plays a neat stopp to force Koepfer close to the net. He just catches the ball but fires it high and out and there’s the break for Djokovic.

Close game as Koepfer matches Djokovic on the long rallies, but the Serbian just has the upper hand overall. He misses his first game point on 40-15 but makes it at the second time of asking with an ace.

Ace from Koepfer to open the game and he maintains the upper hand with powerful two-handed shots that catch Djokovic out to make it 0-40. Djokovic defends two game points but Koepfer makes it at the third time of asking as he forces Djokovic to a hit at full stretch and then catches him out with a volley against his direction of movement.

Some struggles from both players early on as Djokovic gets too much force on the long line twice and hits out while Koepfer lacks some precision on his forehand.

Still, Djokovic earns a game point with an ace that makes it 40-30 and brings it home with another ace.

Bonjour and thank you for joining our live text coverage of the men’s individual third round fixture between Novak Djokovic and Dominik Koepfer at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The match is scheduled to get underway at 11am UK time on Court Philippe-Chatrier – Djokovic will be the clear favourite going into proceedings, but don’t discount Koepfer who beat Matteo Arnaldi in the previous round and would love to cause an upset.

With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, who will come out on top? We’re about to find out!