16. 04. 2010. ยท
Novak Djokovic defeated Argentine David Nalbandian 6-2, 6-3 in 1 hour and 19 minutes to reach the semi-finals at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament.
Djokovic took complete control right from the beginning, breaking his opponent’s serve in the first and third game of the opening set for 3-0 lead. The Argentine broke back once in the fourth game. Nalbandian double-faulted on break point at 4-2 before Novak clinched the first set 6-2 with an inside-out forehand.
Nole made two breaks in the second set, in the opening and the last ninth game for 6-3.
Statistics: aces (2-2), double faults (0-3), winners (14-18), unforced errors (12-33).
”This is certainly one of the best matches I’ve played this year. I had a very difficult opponent who has come back great in the last six, seven weeks and has been playing great tennis,” said Novak after the match. “I hope I can keep this kind of game all the way to the end.”
Djokovic will play against sixth seed Fernando Verdasco for a place in the finals. The Spaniard beat his compatriot Albert Montanes 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-0.
Their head-to-heads is 5-2 in Novak’s favour.
Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer will meet in all-Spanish semi-finals.
