Viktor Troicki has never progressed beyond the fourth round at a grand slam tournament, but at the Sydney International he continues to be the player to beat.
The Serbian enters this week’s tournament already with back-to-back Sydney titles to his name after downing Mikhail Kukushkin in 2015 and Grigor Dimitrov in 2016. Bidding for an historic third consecutive title, he began his campaign with a swift 6-3, 6-4, dismissal of Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi.
Troicki’s 11th consecutive Sydney win saw him hammer 12 aces and saved the only break point he faced in the entire match. Another impressive area of the Serbian’s game was his first service, which was a 91% winning rate (31/33).
“It’s an amazing feeling to play here in Sydney again.” Said Troicki. “I’ve had a lot of success here, especially on this court (the Pat Rafter Arena). It’s just feels great and I’m happy I won my first match again this year. I hope I can continue the streak.”
Another triumph in Sydney this week will also secure Troicki’s name in the history books. No player has ever won three consecutive titles at the event in the Open Era. The last man to achieve the trio was Australian player John Bromwich, who was undefeated between 1937-1940.
“I was told that nobody (in the Open Era) has won three in a row here, so it would be an amazing achievement. I’m definitely going for that as a big goal.” the 30-year-old said.
“I’ll try my best, but it is not going to be easy, there is a lot of good players (in the draw).”
Next up for the third seed will be a clash with Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, who defeated Australia’s Jordan Thompson 7-5, 6-4.
Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller contemplated retiring during his three sets win over Matthew Barton. Playing in the blistering heat, with temperatures soaring to above 40 Degrees Celsius, Muller held his nerve to win 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, in under two hours.
“It went through my head, to be honest,” Muller said when asked if he wanted to throw in the towel.
“At one point, especially at the end of the second set, I was already really struggling with the heat and I was thinking, ‘Jesus, I don’t know if I can finish this match’.”
Muller, who is still chasing after his maiden ATP tour title at the age of 33, will play second seed Pablo Cuevas in the last eight. Cuevas prevailed in three sets over Nicolas Mahut – 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.
