Djokovic in Fine Fettle after ‘Best Performance’ at Monte Carlo

Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action during his match against Roman Safiullin of Russia at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2024. (EPA)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action during his match against Roman Safiullin of Russia at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2024. (EPA)
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Djokovic in Fine Fettle after ‘Best Performance’ at Monte Carlo

Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action during his match against Roman Safiullin of Russia at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2024. (EPA)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action during his match against Roman Safiullin of Russia at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2024. (EPA)

World number one Novak Djokovic said his clinical win over Roman Safiullin was one of his best-ever performances at the Monte Carlo Masters, adding that he was feeling great at the outset of a tournament where he has often struggled in recent years.

On Tuesday, Djokovic made an emphatic start with a 6-1 6-2 win over Russia's Safiullin to ease into the third round.

The 36-year-old has won the Monte Carlo crown twice, but has failed to win more than two matches in any campaign since his last title in 2015.

"My feeling was great. I think it's an accurate judgment from the people that it's been one of the best performances I had here in quite a few years," the 24-times Grand Slam champion told reporters.

"Monte Carlo is the first big tournament of the clay court season. You know, I haven't been really able the last six, seven years to start off strong and start off well. I've always kind of struggled in this tournament.

"But again, it's just the beginning of the tournament. It's one match. I'm going to hope to work tomorrow to maintain that rhythm and focus, obviously try to perform as well as I did in the second match as well as I did today."

The Serbian next faces Italy's Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday.



Guardiola Hears Boos at Oasis Concert in Manchester

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts ahead of the Club World Cup Group G soccer match between Manchester City and Al Ain in Atlanta, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts ahead of the Club World Cup Group G soccer match between Manchester City and Al Ain in Atlanta, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
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Guardiola Hears Boos at Oasis Concert in Manchester

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts ahead of the Club World Cup Group G soccer match between Manchester City and Al Ain in Atlanta, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts ahead of the Club World Cup Group G soccer match between Manchester City and Al Ain in Atlanta, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Some Oasis fans weren't quite “mad fer it” when the band dedicated a song to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola at a homecoming concert.

A smattering of boos followed Liam Gallagher dedicating “D'You Know What I Mean?” to “the greatest manager of all time, the one and only Pep Guardiola" — who was in attendance, The AP news reported.

It occurred Friday night at Heaton Park during the band's first concert in Manchester in 16 years as part of its reunion tour.

Noel Gallagher then asked: “Who you booing?”

The brothers, who grew up in Manchester and are longtime City fans, have attended many games over the years as Guardiola has guided the club to six Premier League titles — among an array of other trophies.

Guardiola, who received some respectful applause as well, didn't seem to mind the razzing — likely from crosstown Man United fans at the show — and joined the rest of the 70,000-plus fans in singing “Don't Look Back in Anger.”