After two difficult and volatile years, David Goffin wants to play his best tennis again in 2022. But a (slight) knee injury immediately threw a spanner in the works last week. Goffin did get fit for the first grand slam of the year, but did not enjoy it much.
Goffin was not a seed for the first time in a long time and immediately got a tough customer in Daniel Evans.
But in set 1, Goffin played along nicely. It was a balanced game until our compatriot lost his serve game at a crucial moment. At 5-4 for Evans, the first break point of the match immediately became a set point.
After that Goffin’s level went downhill. He immediately lost his serve in set 2, although he was first able to save two break points with proper tennis at the net. Later in the set he corrected his mistake, but Evans was unimpressed. He again went through Goffin’s serve and then served himself for the set: 6-3.
In the 3rd set, Goffin felt that defeat was inevitable. He barely resisted and gave the victory to the Brit in less than half an hour. It is the second year in a row that Goffin has not made it past round 1 in Melbourne. In fact, last year he did not succeed at any grand slam.
–
