Novak Djokovic marches on as Gael Monfils succumbs to the sizzling Melbourne heat
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Updated 18/01/2018 at 07:36 GMT
Novak Djokovic needed four sets to advance to the third round of the Australian Open as the sizzling Melbourne sun took its toll on opponent Gael Monfils.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates beating France's Gael Monfils in their men's singles second round match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 18
Image credit: Getty Images
A gruelling encounter ultimately went 4-6 6-3 6-1 6-3 Djokovic's way, with the Serbian keeping his cool to continue his comeback charge from an elbow injury.
Monfils had taken the first set, but with temperatures edging towards 40-degrees Celsius at Melbourne Park, the Frenchman soon faded, calling for the trainer due to heat exhaustion as Djokovic levelled the tie.
The six-time Australian Open champion capitalised by taking the third set in just 31 minutes, but Monfils somehow found some extra reserves to make a contest of the fourth set.
It was a response which appeared to bewilder Djokovic, who had to bravely fight off four break points in the fifth game before breaking himself in the eighth.
Four match points came and went as Djokovic looked to serve it out, but it proved to be fifth-time lucky for the 30-year-old, who barely had the energy to celebrate before the pair embraced.
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