Novak Djokovic set for quick return from injury

NOVAK Djokovic has revealed he suffered no long-term damage from the ankle injury he picked up while on Davis Cup duty with Serbia.

The world No 1 looked to be in some distress after turning his ankle in the third game of his match against the United States’ Sam Querrey and was given considerable courtside treatment.

Remarkably, despite looking uncomfortable putting too much weight on his right foot, Djokovic managed to play on and record a 7-5, 6-7, 6-1, 6-0 ­victory.

There was speculation over how much further damage he had done to the injury by continuing, leading to fears he may be forced to miss the French Open, which gets under way next month.

But the 25-year-old confirmed on his official website that he will need only a short period of treatment and rest before hinting he could even return to action in next week’s Monte Carlo Masters.

“The world’s top player has undergone an MRI examination this morning which revealed no structural damage to the joint capsule and ligaments. A joint structures strain requires therapy and strict rest in the following days,” the statement read.

“Depending on the recovery, a decision will be made on Nole’s participation at the upcoming tournament in Monte Carlo.”

The six-time major winner admitted his pride at representing Serbia – with whom he won the Davis Cup in 2010 – stopped him from pulling out of his match on Sunday, with his victory sealing his country’s semi-final place.

“Obviously it’s very strong emotion when you play for your country; I guess that’s the biggest reason why I kept playing,” said Djokovic on the tournament’s website after beating Querrey. “Injuries are a part of sport, and you try to avoid as much as you can as an athlete.”

Meanwhile, Scotland’s Jamie Murray has reached the last 16 of the doubles competition at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston. Along with Australian partner John Peers, Murray beat Nicholas Monroe and Simon Stadler 6-3, 1-6, 10-4.

In the singles, Gael Monfils reached the second round with a closely fought straight-sets win over James Blake. The Frenchman took just one of his ten break points in the first set, but prevailed in a tie-break and was more clinical in the second, a late break securing a 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 win.