Novak Djokovic will meet Luka van Assche in the round of 16 of the ATP 250 tournament in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, after the Frenchman pulled off an opening-round upset.

Stan Wawrinka defeated Luka van Assche at the ATP in Banja Luka

France’s van Assche, ranked 87th in the world, defeated Stan Wawrinka (84 ATP / former 3 ATP and 2014 Australian Open, 2015 Roland Garros and 2016 US Open champion) in three sets, 1-6, 7-6(4 ), 6-4.

The Swiss missed four break points at 5-5 in the second set and led 3-1 in the decider but was unable to claim victory.

The match lasted two hours and 43 minutes.

Novak Djokovic doesn’t know much about Luka van Assche

This year’s Serbian Open Championship is being held in Banja Luka (now the tournament is called the Srpska Open), and the Novak Tennis Center is undergoing renovation.

Nole talked about the conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and said that he does not know his first opponent in Banja Luka very well.

“For athletes from Serbia, this is the best place where we can compete, it feels like playing at home.

I just tried practice today, I’ll try to practice at least half an hour before on center court if it’s Wednesday to feel the difference. Troitsky told me that there is a difference, it is difficult because the conditions are slow and difficult.

I don’t know much about this guy (Luc van Assche), I know he’s in the top 100. I thought Wawrinka would win, he was leading the whole match. He is a young fighter, he is fast, it is difficult to beat him in these conditions, no one can be underestimated” – Novak Djokovic.

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