Novak Djokovic is set to take on considered one of his largest followers in the last-32 of the Shanghai Open. The Serbian icon overcame American Alex Michelsen in an unexpectedly tight contest, being taken all the means in each units earlier than prevailing 7-6 7-6.
He’ll now face the rising Italian star Flavio Cobolli on Tuesday, with the 22-year-old having made no secret of his admiration for the man 15 years his senior.
Cobolli has already overcome one skilled star this week, beating Stan Wawrinka 6-7 7-6 6-3 in his personal frst-round conflict.
Afterwards, he appeared to relish his upcoming assembly with Djokovic, regardless of his standing as an enormous underdog. “He’s my idol from when I started to play tennis,” he mentioned. “I grew up watching videos of his matches. I still go to sleep thinking of his shots, so it’s great to play against him and I want to enjoy every point on this court.”
His feedback come simply weeks after Cobolli, who reached the third-round of the US Open final month, admitted he tries to copy the 24-time Grand Slam champion throughout his matches. After beating Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Canadian Open, he mentioned: “I’ve always had Nole as a reference player.
“I try to imitate him there too. It's not just his technique that I like, I like his mentality. I also try to take these little things as examples of what he says during the conference. Since he explained how he transformed the support of a crowd for his opponent positively, I have applied this method.”
Cobolli beforehand spoke up for Djokovic in early 2022, after he was controversially deported dwelling from Victoria only a day earlier than the Australian Open started. “Novak Djokovic is my idol. He is going through a difficult time, but he will always remain my idol,” he advised Tennis World Italia.
“Among the big three (including Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer), he is the one I feel closest to. Because we like to defend but also to counter-attack and we both respond well.”
Djokovic did return for the event in 2023, with Cobolli failing to qualify earlier than lastly making his Melbourne Park debut this yr. And he’s additionally hailed the affect of the former No.1 on him when he was allowed again down beneath.
“For us, it’s necessary to have Nole in the tour,” he said. “He’s the No. 1 for me, my idol. I hope to see him in Australia and additionally play some factors and some apply there.”
Cobolli is presently having fun with a profession excessive world rating of No.30, however continues to be in search of his first ATP Tour title win. The twenty eighth seed got here into Shanghai off the again of a robust exhibiting at the China Open although, reaching the quarter-final earlier than dropping to Daniil Medvedev.
