Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Tokyo Olympics: Novak Djokovic & Daniil Medvedev win openers in hot weather

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Saturday, 24 July 2021 03:03

Novak Djokovic launched his bid for Olympic gold with a quick first-round win in sweltering conditions that world number two Daniil Medvedev said were "some of the worst" he had experienced.

Serbian world number one Djokovic needed just 61 minutes to beat Bolivia's Hugo Dellien 6-2 6-2.

He is aiming to become the first man to complete a 'Golden Slam' - Olympic gold and all four Grand Slams in a year.

Djokovic has won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in 2021.

The 34-year-old is joined in the second round by Russian Medvedev, who beat Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik 6-4 7-6 (10-8) in a match played in the middle of the day when the temperature at Ariake Tennis Park reached 32C.

Medvedev, 25, said it was a "joke" that players were allowed only one minute at changeovers rather than the usual 90 seconds and called for matches to be pushed back to later in the day.

"I think, like they do in Mexico, the matches should maybe start at like 6pm because the heat actually gets much lighter," he said.

Medvedev's compatriot Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 30, had to take a medical timeout during her match when she started to feel dizzy in the blazing sun.

"I feel better but I have a massive headache now so that's why I was trying to try to cool down after the match and rest, relax little bit," said Pavlyuchenkova, who cooled herself with ice bags before completing a 6-0 6-1 win over Italian Sara Errani.

Also in the women's event, Poland's Iga Swiatek made a winning start to her Games debut with a 6-2 6-2 win over German Mona Barthel.

By competing in Tokyo, the 2020 French Open champion has followed in the footsteps of her father Tomasz, who represented Poland in rowing at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

In the men's doubles, Britain's Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury stunned second seeds Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3 6-2.

Read 403 times

Soccer

The Champions League race so intense it's sure to last to the Premier League's final day

The Champions League race so intense it's sure to last to the Premier League's final day

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLONDON -- Five teams, each with five games to play, and three Champ...

Antony goal helps keep Betis' UCL 'dreams' alive

Antony goal helps keep Betis' UCL 'dreams' alive

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsReal Betis scored three goals in a first-half blitz to beat Girona...

Wrexham edge closer to promotion with key win

Wrexham edge closer to promotion with key win

James McLean scored Wrexham's opener against Blackpool.Wrexham climbed back into the automatic promo...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Thibs: Brunson not getting calls like Cunningham

Thibs: Brunson not getting calls like Cunningham

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The New York Knicks left the court for halftime down by...

Redick calls Lakers' practice best 'in months'

Redick calls Lakers' practice best 'in months'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said Monda...

Baseball

Lindor swats slow-start stigma, fuels Mets' win

Lindor swats slow-start stigma, fuels Mets' win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Francisco Lindor is off to a smashing start, for a chan...

Cubs add relief option, acquire Pomeranz from M's

Cubs add relief option, acquire Pomeranz from M's

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs acquired Drew Pomeranz from the Seattle...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated