High-ranked Novak Djokovic needed to rally from a set right down to beat 18-year-old Luca Van Assche 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 on the Srpska Open on Wednesday.
Djokovic, coming off an early exit at Monte Carlo, was additionally down an early break within the decider earlier than advancing to the quarterfinals on the clay-court match.
The 35-year-old Serb recovered from a gradual begin to drop simply two factors on his serve in the second set.
Djokovic, enjoying simply his third match on clay this season, wanted two hours, 38 minutes to place away the younger Frenchman.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion stated the match “would in all probability rank because the slowest courtroom, slowest situations I’ve ever performed in, to be sincere. I could not put any ball previous him.”
Van Assche, who gained the boys’ title at Roland Garros in 2021, is the youngest participant within the High 100. He is ranked No. 87.
Djokovic will subsequent face both Dusan Lajovic or Gregoire Barrere within the final eight.