Serbian world No. 32 Filip Krajinovic rooted for fellow compatriot Novak Djokovic against Alexander Zverev and he was happy after the world No. 1 beat the German at the Adria Tour event in Belgrade. Djokovic needed to clinch a straight-set win over Zverev in the final match of their group — in any other case he wouldn’t make the final.
Djokovic got off to a fast start as he won the first set without a set dropped but his level dropped in the second set as world No. 7 Zverev managed to force a decider. Before the match, Krajinovic needed Djokovic to beat Zverev in three sets so he makes the final from their group.
Djokovic was visibly disappointed after dropping the second set but still he kept his focus to beat Zverev 4-0 1-4 4-2. A night earlier, Krajinovic recovered from a set down to stun Djokovic 2-4 4-2 4-1. Krajinovic lost to Zverev in his opening match despite being 4-0 2-0 up as the German recovered to win 0-4 4-3 (5) 4-3 (2).
In his last group match, Krajinovic saw off fellow compatriot Viktor Troicki in straight sets 4-0 4-3 (5). “Honestly, I was really cheering for Novak to win with this result. I’m glad I’m in the final, it was a tough group.
I’m disappointed with the Zverev match, but after that I played well against Novak and I was convincing against Viktor,” Krajinovic told Sport Klub.
Filip Krajinovic drops huge praise on Djokovic
Djokovic — the man behind the Adria Tour project — had been planning to organize a Balkan Tour for a long time but it was impossible to pull it off during a tennis season.
Krajinovic says Djokovic organizing an event like this and helping promote tennis in the Balkans speaks of him as a person. “He is our hero, an idol, kudos to him for organizing this. He is the best in the history of this sport.
I learn from him, we have No. 1 who wants to help everyone. He’s like a brother to me,” Krajinovic said. Filip Krajinovic then joked: “I will give him a little bit more time to train. We will see in Banja Luka if he has improved. Joke aside, we all learn from him. He has achieved what no one ever will in tennis.”
