After receiving a first round bye, Djokovic faced Davidovich Fokina in a night match and led 4-3 before Davidovich Fokina took an injury timeout to recive treatment for a back problem.

Upon returning to the tennis court, Davidovich Fokina served slower than before and committed several unforced errors to drop serve and trail 3-5.

However in his following service game while serving at 30-40, Djokovic netted a down the line forehand to lose serve and return the match back on serve at 5-4.

Serving to stay in the set, Davidovich Fokina committed three forehand errors to face setpoint.

Davidovich Fokina struck an inside out down the line backhand winner to save set point number one.

However on set point two, Djokovic hit a crosscourt forehand passing shot winner to break serve and close out the set after 42 minutes of play.

Davidovich Fokina retired from the match with a back injury following the next few points.

Tonight in round three at 8:30pm local time (5:30pm PST USA) the 36 year old Djokovic takes on Gael Monfils of France who is also 36 years old in a battle of veteran tennis players.

Djokovic leads head to head 18-0.

However in their last hard court match in 2020 in the semifinals at Dubai, Monfils led before losing 2-6, 7-6(10-8), 6-1.

Novak Djokovic has won a record 23 grand slam singles titles including this year's Australian Open and Roland Garros titles.

In 2004, Monfils won the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon junior titles.

In professional tennis, Monfils recorded his best ever grand slam results in semifinal finishes at the 2008 Roland Garros and the 2016 US Open.

Monfils is known for his athletic game which can be both defensive and offensive.