24. 02. 2009. · Top seeded Novak Djokovic is through to the second round of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships with a straight sets win over Italian Flavio Cipolla 6:3 6:2.
This was an unusual match with many breaks on both sides. The best Serbian tennis player made more, and won the match comfortably.
Nole made a break in the fourth game to go up 3:1, but the 25-year old Italian broke back immediately. Djokovic put the pressure once again and took his opponent’s service for 4:2. Serving for the set at 5:3, he saved a break point and closed it 6:3.
21-year old from Belgrade broke Cipolla’s service in the opening game of the second set. At 3:1 we saw three consecutive breaks. Novak was serving for the match at 5:2 and didn’t let his opponent threaten him again. The result was 6:2.
Djokovic served 5 aces to Cipolla’s 1, and won a total of 72 points to the Italian’s 53.
Novak’s first service percentage was 62%.
He converted 5 of 11 break points, while Cipolla used 2 of 6 chances.
“I’m happy that I’m through in straight sets but it certainly wasn’t the performance I was looking for,” said Djokovic. “I didn’t expect him to play so many short balls and with the change of pace that’s probably what didn’t give me a lot of rhythm. But it’s alright. Hopefully I can improve my game towards the finish of the tournament.”
Djokovic will meet Jan Hernych (66) in the second round. The Czech defeated Russian Mikhail Youzhny in three sets, 4:6 6:1 6:4.
This will be their third match, H2H is 1:1. 29-year old was better in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 2006, Nole won last week in Marseille, 7:5 6:4.
