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Djokovic in Serbia Open final after win over Khachanov

Novak Djokovic booked a place in the Serbia Open final after overcoming another slow start and Karen Khachanov 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday.

The top-ranked Serb came back from a set down for the third consecutive match after hard-fought wins over Miomir Kecmanovic and Laslo Djere to reach his third final at his hometown tournament.

Djokovic, who is bidding for his first title of the year, will face Andrey Rublev or Fabio Fognini in Sunday’s final.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves a ball to Russia's Karen Khachanov during their semi final tennis match of the Serbia Open tennis tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)

The 20-time Grand Slam champion previously won the Serbia Open in 2009 and 2011.

Djokovic opened his clay-court season with a surprising loss to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Monte Carlo Masters last week, his first match since being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Championships in February. Dubai was his first tournament of the year after he was barred from playing at the Australian Open because of his unvaccinated status, which also prevented him from playing tournaments in the United States last month.

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Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a ball to Russia's Karen Khachanov during their semi final tennis match of the Serbia Open tennis tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a ball to Russia's Karen Khachanov during their semi final tennis match of the Serbia Open tennis tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning the semifinal tennis match of the Serbia Open tennis tournament against Russia's Karen Khachanov, in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)

Novak Djokovic's wife Jelena takes a selfie during semi final tennis match of the Serbia Open tennis tournament between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Russia's Karen Khachanov, in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)

Russia's Karen Khachanov returns a ball to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their semi final tennis match of the Serbia Open tennis tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)

Russia's Karen Khachanov returns a ball to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their semi final tennis match of the Serbia Open tennis tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a ball to Russia's Karen Khachanov during their semifinal tennis match of the Serbia Open tennis tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia wipes his face during the semifinal tennis match of the Serbia Open tennis tournament against Russia's Karen Khachanov in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)