Tim Henman has insisted that Novak Djokovic’s “ominous” demeanour will spell bad news for his rivals at the Australian Open.
The Serb has won 33 consecutive matches at the Major and according to Henman, that record is unlikely to come to an end any time soon.
“It’s very ominous for the other players [how relaxed he is]; how he’s looking so contented with where he’s at,” Henman told Eurosport. “His form is great. No-one would be surprised if he goes on and wins the title again.
“That was a battle. He’ll be relieved to get through the match. I don’t know why we’re surprised, we’ve seen him play this type of tennis so often in Melbourne. He finds a way to get the job done.
“He can’t relax in that second set and just lose it if he loses the first set. That’s why we realised how important that was for both players, but especially (Taylor) Fritz, to have those set points [in the first set] and not take them.
“It just gives Djokovic the breathing room, and from Fritz’s point of view, he’s played an hour and 25 minutes for that first set and got nothing out of it. He’s like, ‘Wow, I’ve still got to win three of the next four’. So it’s a mountain to climb at all times.”