Miomir Kecmanovic vowed to avenge fellow Serbian Novak Djokovic but the deported star’s exit from the Australian Open has sparked a dream run for the 22-year-old.
Had Djokovic played in this year’s Open, he was drawn to play Kecmanovic in the opening round which would have spelled an early exit for the World No.77.
Instead, Kecmanovic is into the last 16 at Melbourne Park after a 6-4 6-7 (8-10) 6-2 7-5 win over Italian Lorenzo Sonego on Friday.
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It means he is guaranteed at least $328,000 in prize money instead of the $103,000 should Djokovic have won their first-round meeting, a difference of $225,000.
Kecmanovic had previously made 11 grand slam appearances but was yet to make it past the second round.
Now he faces another challenge with either Gael Monfils awaiting in the fourth round.
It comes as Djokovic’s coach Marian Vajda broke the team’s silence, revealing how the Serbian superstar is handling the fallout of the drama.
“I needed to calm down,” he told Sport Klub of why he had waited so long…
