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Reuters 19y

Tennis-Open-Monfils loses four-hour battle against Djokovic

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK, Aug 30 - Former junior world number one
Gael Monfils lost a four-hour U.S. Open battle against fellow
18-year-old Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Montenegro on Tuesday.

Djokovic, who prevailed 7-5 4-6 7-6 0-6 7-5 in the
first-round match on Court 10, had two bathroom breaks, two
injury timeouts and another aborted injury timeout after
complaining of breathing trouble against the Frenchman.

"I just don't know if he was faking it or if it was real,"
Monfils, winner of last year's Australian, French and Wimbledon
junior titles, told reporters.

It was the U.S. Open debut for both teenagers and the first
career hardcourt victory for Djokovic.

Playing in hot, humid conditions, Djokovic looked worn out
through much of the match.

He took a bathroom break after the first set and another
after the third.

The Serb called a trainer out in the second set, saying he
could not breathe. A doctor arrived a few minutes later and
informed the player he was not entitled to an injury timeout for
that and play resumed.

In the fourth set, Djokovic was given an injury timeout
because of a shoulder complaint and in the fifth set, when he
was serving at 3-4 down, play was halted again so he could have
further treatment.

Monfils has enjoyed a successful rookie season on the tour,
winning the Sopot claycourt tournament earlier this month, and
advancing to the second round of the Australian Open and the
third round at Wimbledon.

Djokovic, who also reached the third round at Wimbledon, now
meets Mario Ancic of Croatia, seeded 22.

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