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Novak Djokovic Improving, Advances At Italian Open

By Harry Floyd

ROME, ITALY - MAY 16: Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action in his match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia during day four of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2018 tennis at Foro Italico on May 16, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - MAY 16: Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action in his match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia during day four of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2018 tennis at Foro Italico on May 16, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Novak Djokovic is advancing at the 2018 Italian Open. The Serbian great continues to bounce back from his recent injury troubles.

Novak Djokovic is into the round of 16 at the 2018 Italian Open. The Serbian great is attempting to retouch career heights as he continues his return to the ATP World Tour.

A right elbow injury hampered Djokovic after Wimbledon last year. He has seen some success on the 2018 tour so far and is fighting to regain traction in the men’s singles rankings. He and others, such as Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic, are battling back from injury.

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Nole is facing Albert Ramos Viñolas of Spain next at the Italian Open. The Serbian superstar is a four-time champion in men’s singles at the event. Alexander Zverev is the defending champion. The King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, is the top seed and is a seven-time champion at the tournament. Nadal remains alive and squares off in the round of 16 on Thursday.

Several veteran greats and young rising stars are in action at the ATP World Tour event. On the women’s singles side, defending champion Elina Svitolina remains alive. Last year, the Ukrainian superstar defeated Simona Halep in the finals. She won the title going 4–6, 7–5, 6–1.

Novak Djokovic is looking for momentum heading into the French Open. He takes on Albert Ramos Viñolas next in Rome.

Look for Nole to be an interesting player to watching moving forward at the Italian Open. He will need to contend with several young stars. If he can maintain his current streak though, the Serbian should be a contender for the title. He is yet to drop a singles set through his first two matches in Rome. Yet to face a true challenge at the event, the round of 16 could provide more of a chance for the former world No. 1 to prove himself to the tennis community.

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Check back to see if Novak Djokovic and other can continue on at the Italian Open. Nadal remains the top seed and heavy favorite, but others such as Nole could play spoiler this week. The Serbian continues his return from injury. Another former world No. 1 in Andy Murray remains away from the courts. With the likes of Murray, and even Roger Federer during the clay court season, Nole and others could rise in the rankings.

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