"Can't give Rafael Nadal any chances" - Novak Djokovic 'relieved' after surviving late scare in 'very, very close' Paris Olympics 2R battle

Novak Djokovic admitted that he was relieved after winning his second-round match at the ongoing Paris Olympics against arch-rival Rafael Nadal after surviving a scare in the second set. The Serb secured a convincing 6-1, 6-4 win to reach the third round.

The World No. 2 won the first set comfortably as he raced to a 5-0 lead, eventually winning 6-1. The second set started similarly, with the Serb breaking the Spaniard's serve twice and gaining a 4-0 advantage, but the 'King of Clay' fought back to win four straight games and level the set.

Nadal, however, lost his serve in the ninth game after saving three break points to hand the Serb an opportunity to serve for the match. The 24-time Grand Slam champion seized his opportunity, converting the first match point to defeat his longtime rival in what was their 60th meeting.

After the match, Djokovic confessed to Eurosport that he was relieved to win the match after Nadal launched a mini-comeback in the second set. The Serb emphasized the importance of maintaining focus against the Spaniard, particularly in the charged atmosphere of Philippe Chatrier with the crowd behind him.

"I'm very relieved because everything seemed to be going my way at 6-1 and 4-0, maybe I felt too comfortable at that moment. At 4-1 I played a regular serve. You can't give Nadal any chances because he'll take them, he'll get back into the match, especially on this court with the crowd involved," he said.

The Serb highlighted the ninth game of the second set as a pivotal moment, claiming it was crucial in shifting the momentum in his favor. He expressed satisfaction with his overall performance.

"It was very tough, the crucial game at 4-4, the last game with used balls and trying to break his serve and then serve with new balls. I did well on my last two serves, but it was a very, very close match, especially in the second set. I'm very happy with the level at which I played," he added.

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Novak Djokovic to face either Dominik Koepfer or Matteo Arnaldi in the third round

Novak Djokovic at Olympic Games Paris 2024 (Source: Getty)

Novak Djokovic faces a tough challenge in the third round of the 2024 Paris Olympics, with either Dominik Koepfer or Matteo Arnaldi awaiting him.

Koepfer defeated Milos Raonic in a thrilling three-set first-round match. The Canadian claimed the opening set in a tiebreak, but Koepfer fought back to win the next two sets, also by tiebreaks, with a final score of 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 7-6(1).

Arnaldi, on the other hand, downed home favorite Arthur Fils 6-4, 7-6(7) in the first round. Additionally, he has enjoyed success at claycourt this year, as he reached the fourth round at the 2024 French Open, upsetting Andrey Rubelv on his way