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Top seed Novak Djokovic fended off an upset bid from World No. 64 Quentin Halys to win 7-6 (3) 7-6 (5) on Thursday at the Adelaide International 1 in Adelaide, Australia. Down 2-5 in the first set, Djokovic rattled off three straight wins to even the set, then won a pair of tiebreakers to advance to the quarterfinals. Halys, of France, fell to 0-12 against Top 30 opponents. Next up for Serbia's Djokovic will be No. 7 seed Denis Shapovalov of Canada, who defeated Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-3.

Pedro Martinez & Federico Delbonis have rushed to the aid of a ball kid who collapsed at the Australian Open. pic.twitter.com/ED8ti6QoYq — The Juggernaut (@TheJuggernaut88) January 17, 2022 https://twitter.com/TheJuggernaut88/status/1483018659732029440 Another coincidence involving the Vaccine and physical exertion.

Several fully vaccinated tennis players participating in the Australian Open qualifying rounds have complained about tiredness and breathing problems. The stakes are high for the organizers who have been keeping tennis star Novak Djokovic as a prisoner according to his parents. The player has won the tournament nine times, including the past three years and is currently tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for most major victories of all time, namely 20. Djokovic has been confined to a small room in a Melbourne hotel since the Australian authorities denied him entrance to the country, overriding his medical exemption. Australia...

CANBERRA—Novak Djokovic will not be able to enter Australia to defend his Australian Open title unless he is fully vaccinated for COVID-19, the country’s immigration minister said on Wednesday, putting the Serb’s Grand Slam record bid in doubt.World number one Djokovic, who is level with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal on 20 Grand Slam titles, has declined to reveal his vaccination status, and said he is unsure if he will defend his Australian Open crown.Clarifying Australia’s visa requirements, Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke said foreign players would need to have had two vaccination shots to play the Grand Slam at...