Djokovic Hoping to Hit Top Gear on Clay after Banja Luka Exit

Serbia's Novak Djokovic (C) waves as he arrives to play against Serbia's Dusan Lajovic, prior to their tennis quarter-final singles match at Sprska Tennis Open ATP 250 series tournament in Banja Luka on April 21, 2023. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic (C) waves as he arrives to play against Serbia's Dusan Lajovic, prior to their tennis quarter-final singles match at Sprska Tennis Open ATP 250 series tournament in Banja Luka on April 21, 2023. (AFP)
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Djokovic Hoping to Hit Top Gear on Clay after Banja Luka Exit

Serbia's Novak Djokovic (C) waves as he arrives to play against Serbia's Dusan Lajovic, prior to their tennis quarter-final singles match at Sprska Tennis Open ATP 250 series tournament in Banja Luka on April 21, 2023. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic (C) waves as he arrives to play against Serbia's Dusan Lajovic, prior to their tennis quarter-final singles match at Sprska Tennis Open ATP 250 series tournament in Banja Luka on April 21, 2023. (AFP)

Novak Djokovic was far from his best in his quarter-final defeat to Dusan Lajovic at the Srpska Open, but the Serb said he is still hopeful of finding his groove on clay before next month's French Open.

Djokovic had dropped just four games across his previous two meetings with compatriot Lajovic, but the world number one squandered several chances to get past his opponent on Friday, converting just one of 16 breakpoints as he fell to a 6-4 7-6(6) defeat.

The loss is Djokovic's second early exit from a tournament in as many weeks, following his third-round defeat to Lorenzo Musetti at the Monte Carlo Masters last week.

"Lajovic played well. On the other hand, I played much worse than I wanted to," Djokovic told reporters after the defeat in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"I cannot win matches against opponents who are this solid on this surface by playing like this.

"I didn't feel well on the court, my legs were slow and my footwork was torpid, many missed shots, totally without direction. I played well at times but I played noticeably under my level."

With Rafa Nadal having skipped a string of clay tournaments due to injury, Djokovic will be looking to build momentum ahead of the French Open where the Serbian will target a 23rd Grand Slam to go ahead of the Spaniard.

The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season, begins on May 28.

"I hope to get into tip top shape for Roland Garros. I want to play my best tennis there," said Djokovic, who has also been struggling with an elbow injury.

"The conditions are totally different there in comparison with Monte Carlo and Banja Luka. There are still several weeks to practice and play.

"In the previous seasons, I've always had an unsatisfying and slow start on clay and then played much better tennis in the final stages. I hope to repeat the same pattern this year."



Svensson Propels Dortmund to Club World Cup Knockout Stage

Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group F - Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan HD - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, US - June 25, 2025 Borussia Dortmund's Daniel Svensson celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group F - Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan HD - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, US - June 25, 2025 Borussia Dortmund's Daniel Svensson celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
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Svensson Propels Dortmund to Club World Cup Knockout Stage

Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group F - Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan HD - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, US - June 25, 2025 Borussia Dortmund's Daniel Svensson celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group F - Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan HD - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, US - June 25, 2025 Borussia Dortmund's Daniel Svensson celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)

A first-half goal from Daniel Svensson was enough to secure Borussia Dortmund's place in the Club World Cup round of 16, as they claimed a 1–0 victory over South Korea's Ulsan HD on Wednesday.

The German side dominated from the outset at Cincinnati's sun-drenched TQL Stadium, with the attacking trio of Jobe Bellingham, Felix Nmecha and Karim Adeyemi putting the Ulsan goal under siege in the opening exchanges.

The breakthrough finally came in the 36th minute when Bellingham provided a precise pass to Svensson and the Swede scored with a straightforward finish.

Ulsan goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo prevented Dortmund from increasing their lead in the first half, producing a fine save to stop Serhou Guirassy's powerful header.

Pascal Gross thought he had doubled Dortmund's advantage with a well-struck left-footed shot, but Jo was equal to the task once again.

Ulsan improved after the break, finding space as they looked for an equalizer with Lee Jin-hyun's shot from a difficult angle on the left saved by Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel on the hour mark.

Despite continued pressure, Dortmund failed to find the net with Julien Duranville shooting wide and Jo stopping a Yan Couto attempt in the dying minutes.

Dortmund finished top of Group F with seven points, two points clear of Brazilian side Fluminense in second after they drew 0-0 with Mamelodi Sundowns. The South African champions finished third in the group with four points while Ulsan were bottom after losing all three of their games.

Dortmund will next face the runner-up from Group E, either River Plate, Inter Milan or Monterrey.