22. 06. 2009. ·
Fourth seeded Novak Djokovic overcame a challenge by Frenchman Julien Benneteau and moved into the second round of Wimbledon with a 6-7(8) 7-6(1) 6-2 6-4 victory in 3 hours and 28 minutes.
Djokovic won his opening service game to 30 and then pushed Benneteau to 30 on his serve, but the Frenchman held. World number four had a break-set point in the 12th game but the Frenchman saved it with a great service. The set was decided in a tiebreaker. Nole had a set point at 7-6. Benneteau saved it and took the set 10-8, making one mini break more than Novak.
There were no breaks in the second set. The best Serbian tennis player was dominant, and won the tiebreakeker convincingly 7-1 to level the match at 1-1.
Nole faced a break point at the beginning of the third set, but saved it with a service winner and hit an ace on game point. He raised the level of his game and broke his opponent’s service in the second and fourth game and then held to increase his lead to 5-0. Benneteau wasn’t at his best after he slipped at the end of the last point in the third game. The Frenchman managed to take two games in a row though, breaking back once for 5-2, as Novak made 3 double faults in the seventh game. World no.4 capitalised on a break point in the eighth game to take the set 6-2.
Djokovic failed to use his chances to break in the second and eighth game of the fourth set. At 5-4 for the 22-year old and deuce, Benneteau chased back a lob shot from Novak. He slipped and slammed both of his knees into the wall. The Frenchman took a medical time out. He then saved the match point (the second of the game). Novak took his third one though to win the set 6-4.
Djokovic served 14 aces to Benneteau’s 3. Both players made 4 double faults.
Novak hit 43 winners to his opponent’s 39, and made 36 unforced errors, one more than the Frenchman.
Djokovic converted 4 of his 12 chances for break, while Benneteau converted 1 of his 4 break points.
Nole will face world no.106 Simon Greul in the second round. The German defeated American Michael Yani in straight sets 6-4 6-2 7-5. Djokovic and Greul have never met before.
