Djokovic Beats Hanfmann 6-3, 6-3 to Reach Geneva Open Quarterfinals on his 37th Birthday

Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a forehand return against France's Alexandre Muller during the US Open tennis tournament men's singles first round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on August 28, 2023. (Photo by COREY SIPKIN / AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a forehand return against France's Alexandre Muller during the US Open tennis tournament men's singles first round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on August 28, 2023. (Photo by COREY SIPKIN / AFP)
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Djokovic Beats Hanfmann 6-3, 6-3 to Reach Geneva Open Quarterfinals on his 37th Birthday

Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a forehand return against France's Alexandre Muller during the US Open tennis tournament men's singles first round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on August 28, 2023. (Photo by COREY SIPKIN / AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a forehand return against France's Alexandre Muller during the US Open tennis tournament men's singles first round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on August 28, 2023. (Photo by COREY SIPKIN / AFP)

Novak Djokovic celebrated his 37th birthday by beating unseeded Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals at the Geneva Open.

It was the 1,100th victory for the World No. 1 at ATP tournaments.

Djokovic rallied from 3-0 down in the final set by winning six straight games. He converted his second match point when Hanfmann's forehand hit the net, The AP reported.

The 32-year-old German broke Djokovic in the second game of the set when Djokovic struggled with his first serve.

The second-round match had earlier been suspended by rain with Djokovic trying to serve out the first set 5-3, deuce.

The record 24-time Grand Slam champion wasted a set point and had to save four break points before the match was interrupted by rainfall.

He had to save another break point after play resumed before serving out the set with an ace.

Hanfmann had eliminated Andy Murray in the first round 7-5, 6-2.

Djokovic received a wild card at the clay-court warmup event for the French Open.

Seeking his first title of the season, Djokovic will next face either Denis Shapovalov or Tallon Griekspoor.

The Geneva Open final is scheduled for Saturday, one day before main draw play starts at Roland Garros, where Djokovic is the defending champion.



Taif Hosts Arab Diar Championship for West Asian U-19 Teams

The championship is organized by the West Asian Football Federation with the participation of 12 teams from several countries including - SPA
The championship is organized by the West Asian Football Federation with the participation of 12 teams from several countries including - SPA
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Taif Hosts Arab Diar Championship for West Asian U-19 Teams

The championship is organized by the West Asian Football Federation with the participation of 12 teams from several countries including - SPA
The championship is organized by the West Asian Football Federation with the participation of 12 teams from several countries including - SPA

The Arab Diar Championship for West Asian U-19 teams, hosted by Taif Governorate, is scheduled to start Tuesday and will continue until July 5. The championship is organized by the West Asian Football Federation with the participation of 12 teams from several countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, in addition to the Albanian team, the guest of the tournament, SPA reported.
The invitation of the Albanian national team from outside the region comes as a continuation of the plans of the West Asian Football Federation to expand participation and open the way for the teams of civil associations to play matches with competitors from outside the region, with the aim of diversifying and gaining more experience.