31. 03. 2011. ·
The 2007 Miami champion Novak Djokovic advanced to the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open with a straight sets win over big-serving South African Kevin Anderson in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, in 1 hour and 48 minutes.
Anderson served first and he managed to hold. Djokovic responded with a love service game. The 23-year-old made a break in the third game when the South African double-faulted on a break point. A couple of unforced errors from Novak and all of a sudden Anderson had two break points. Two aces brought up deuce, the third brought up game point. The world no.2 went on to hold and confirmed the break. Anderson had Djokovic running all over the court in the sixth game but Nole’s court coverage was simply brilliant. He saved a break point and kept the advantage. The Serb served out the set 6-4 in 53 minutes.
Nole broke Anderson twice in the second set, in the third and seventh games, and closed the set and match 6-2.
They are now tied in head-to-heads. Anderson prevailed 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-4 in Miami in the second round three years ago.
“It was anything but easy. The result doesn’t show what we had on the court definitely,” Novak said during his post-match press conference.
“I kind of expected him to be aggressive, but he was really going for the shots. He was really putting a lot of pressure on me. A lot. His serve was exceptionally well and hard to read.”
“In the second set I found that momentum, but I went through situations where I faced couple of breakpoints in the first and second set, and I saved them. I was fortunate in those moments. If he broke me, who knows in which direction the match would go.”
Match statistics: aces (6-4), double faults (2-2), winners (20-17), unforced errors (19-22), total points won (72-54).
Djokovic will take on no.14 seed Mardy Fish in the final four. The American beat Spaniard David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2. Nole won each of their five previous encounters.
“He’s been playing some really good tennis this week, beating high-ranked players, quality players,” Nole praised his next opponent. “Today he looked really confident on the court. If he serves well, then he can really beat anybody, I think.”
”It’s going to be really unpredictable what’s going to happen. Should be a very good match. I look forward to it.”
The second semi-final features Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Matches are scheduled on Friday.
Novak‘s unbeaten run is extended, he is the hottest player of the year with a perfect 22-0 record (24-0 going back to last December’s Davis Cup final), including titles at the Australian Open, Dubai and Indian Wells.
