Novak missed the Cologne semi-finals in three sets

Dennis Novak narrowly missed entry to the semi-finals of an ATP tennis tournament for the first time. The Lower Austrian lost to Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after 1:55 hours with 3: 6.6: 2.3: 6 in his quarter-final debut in Cologne on Friday. The 27-year-old missed a semi-final duel with German Alexander Zverev, who is seventh in the world rankings, at the new ATP 250 event in Germany.

Novak also missed a rematch by losing in five sets in the first round of the US Open about a month and a half ago against the 21-year-old Spaniard in a game characterized by numerous breaks (15). For the world number 94. There is a cash prize of € 9,240 which, thanks to the 45 ATP points collected, will improve slightly and come very close to the top 90. In Cologne, Novak had achieved the first victories on the circuit since his round of 16 in Dubai in February.

The ÖTV player found the game well, but gave up a 2-0 lead. Davidovich Fokina first took the lead at 4: 3 and served in the 39th minute to 6: 3. 3-2 breaks were the deciding factor. In the second set, Novak turned the tables, taking his opponent’s serve four times and only receiving two breaks. He also seemed to build on the momentum in the decision-making round, in which he quickly made it 2-0.

The ranking list 71. However, it turned things around with four games in a row. Novak was able to shorten it to 3: 4, and then found a break opportunity, but did not exit the game due to minor, unforced errors. Davidovich Fokina regained his first match point after nearly two hours.

“It was a very tough game with many ups and downs. After 2-0 in the third set, I improved again, I did my best and still won, ”said the Andalusian in the interview with the winner on the field. The next US Open is now waiting for him, as he lost in New York against Zverev in the round of 16 in three sets.