Novak Djokovic eases to victory over Marton Fucsovics to earn first win of clay court season - 'Great to break the ice'

React to this story

Novak Djokovic declared that he was "pleased with the level of tennis" as he finally got his clay court season up and running. The No. 2 seed beat Marton Fucsovics in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals of the Geneva Open. A brilliant serving display helped him through, with the Serbian not so much as facing a break point. He will now face Matteo Arnaldi for a place in the last four.

Djokovic felt he 'couldn't get more out of partnership' with Murray

Video credit: TNT Sports

Novak Djokovic admits he was pleased "to break the ice" after finally getting his first win of the clay court season.

The Serb registered a comfortable 6-2 6-3 victory over Marton Fucsovics in the second round of the Geneva Open.

He is using the tournament as part of his preparations for the French Open, which gets underway on Sunday, May 25, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Montreal Men's Singles -

How Jodar matched Murray, Djokovic and Alcaraz record with storming Montreal run

Yesterday at 08:45

The 37-year-old heads to Roland Garros attempting to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title, but has not lifted a major since the 2023 US Open.

And a disappointing clay swing, in which he lost his only outing at the Madrid Open and missed the Italian Open, led him to entering the event in Switzerland, where a near-capacity crowd filled the stands.

Seeded second, Djokovic was playing in his first match since parting ways with coach Andy Murray.

But he could barely have been handed a better draw, given he had won each of his previous five meetings with Fucsovics.

It was therefore hardly a surprise that he dominated the first set, which lasted just 36 minutes.

The Serbian was particularly impressive on serve, behind which he dropped four points, while holding for love on a couple of occasions.

He also twice broke his opponent's serve, first for 3-1, before sealing a 6-2 set with a stunning backhand winner down the line.

'His level is insane' - Alcaraz praises Sinner after Rome win

Video credit: SNTV

Things continued in a similar fashion in the second, as Fucsovics continued to struggle to find a foothold in the match.

Djokovic held to love on two further occasions, and once more to 15, putting pressure on the Hungarian's own serve.

Eventually, he crumbled, with a couple of errors paving the way for the 37-year-old to break, secured with a cross-court forehand winner that left Fucsovics wrong-footed.

Djokovic was now in cruise control, and he started opening his box of tricks, with one delicious drop shot from behind the baseline helping him move 5-2 ahead.

And although the Hungarian held his next service game, making good use of his own drop shot, it was all too little, too late.

He pulled no punches in a desperate bid to get the break back, but was consigned to defeat when Djokovic rattled a fierce backhand winner down the line.

"My first win this season on clay, it's great to break the ice in a way," he said in his on-court interview. "It's a very demanding surface.

"We all know how tricky it is to play on clay. Compared to the other surfaces, you always have to expect an extra one or two shots, balls coming back.

Highlights: Djokovic stunned in Madrid as Arnaldi secures shock straight-sets win

Video credit: SNTV

"Here, there's a bit more altitude, so it helps if you have a good serve. Today, I think that was my strongest shot.

"I had a very high percentage of first serves [and] a lot of free points on the first serve when I needed to get myself out of trouble.

"It makes the life on the court a bit easier. Very glad, as I say, to play the best tennis when it was most needed.

"All the way through, until the last moment, I was quite focused and pleased with the level of tennis. Hopefully that can continue tomorrow."

Djokovic will now play Matteo Arnaldi in the quarter-finals. That is after the Italian beat Hungarian Fabian Marozsan 7-6 6-3 in the last-16.

Watch and stream the 2025 French Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+

US Open Mixed Doubles -

'We're chasing the title' - Sabalenka reveals 'goal' with Djokovic

03/08/2026 at 12:34

ATP Cincinnati

'Look forward to coming back' - Djokovic confirms Cincinnati Masters 1000 participation

30/07/2026 at 14:49