Novak Djokovic is set to compete in the Basel Open for the first time since 2011.
Djokovic, who is competing for an ATP Finals spot alongside the likes of Rafael Jodar and Frances Tiafoe, has been handed a difficult draw in the Swiss city.
The Serbian superstar, a 24-time major champion and Olympic gold medallist, will play Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the first round.
Humbert, the world number 38, is widely recognised as one of the best indoor hard-court players on the ATP Tour.
Djokovic and Humbert have played each other just once before – what was the result on that occasion?
Novak Djokovic defeated Ugo Humbert at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships
In 2019, Djokovic and Humbert met in the Wimbledon fourth round.
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Djokovic was seeking to win his second consecutive Wimbledon title, while at 21 years old, Humbert was in the early stages of his career.
Djokovic had defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber, Denis Kudla and Hubert Hurkacz to reach the last 16, while Humbert had moved past Gael Monfils, Marcel Granollers and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Djokovic emerged victorious from their fourth-round contest, triumphing 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
“I had never played Ugo but saw him play and he’s won against a couple of great players,” Djokovic told the BBC afterwards, as reported by Tennis Majors.
“I was able to study his game, but he probably wasn’t at his best. I’m pleased to execute the job in three sets.”
The Serbian superstar went on to achieve greatness at the All England Club, winning his fifth Wimbledon title.
Remarkably, Djokovic saved two championship points against Roger Federer in the final, before triumphing 7–6, 1–6, 7–6, 4–6, 13–12 on Centre Court.
Who could Novak Djokovic play in the Basel Open second round?
If Djokovic overcomes the challenge of Humbert, he will play either Yannick Hanfmann or Jan-Lennard Struff.
Struff, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in June, recently advanced to the Brussels Open final before losing to Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.
If Djokovic advances further, he will likely face ninth seed and former world number two Casper Ruud.
Djokovic has a 5-1 record against Ruud on the ATP Tour, with his only loss to the Norwegian occurring in their last match at the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters.
Ruud triumphed 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in the semi-finals, before losing the final to three-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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