31. 05. 2010. ·
Two-time Roland Garros semi-finalist Novak Djokovic is through to the quarter-finals of French Open 2010 following a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over world no.98 American Robby Ginepri on Monday.
The match on Philippe Chatrier court lasted 2 hours and 17 minutes.
Although it was Ginepri who had opportunities to break first, Djokovic was the player to convert his second break point chance in the tenth game for 6-4 after 42 minutes.
No.3 seed struggled to find his rhythm in the second set. Unforced errors helped the 27-year-old American on his way to breaking Djokovic’s serve in the third and seventh games and he took the set 6-2 in 33 minutes.
The momentum was with the 23-year-old from Serbia in the rest of the match. He stormed through the third set making two breaks to win it convincingly 6-1 in 31 minutes.
The fourth set was routine for Djokovic. He dictated play and raced out to a double break (4-0) lead. He lost only two games before serving for the match and closed it 6-2.
“He was very aggressive from the start. He played well. I was lucky to pull out that first set in my favor. Second set, as usual in these tournaments, went the other way for my opponent,” said Novak after the match.
“Unfortunately I lost focus. But I overcome it, you know, again. Third and fourth were really, really good. I was aggressive, I was serving well, and playing from all over the court. With that kind of game I performed in the third and fourth set, I think I have a good chance against anybody on the court now.”
Novak had 2 aces and served at 70 per cent
The Serb hit 36 winners to Ginepri’s 31, and made 29 unforced errors to the American’s 32
Djokovic converted 5 of his 9 break points, while Ginepri capitalised on only 2 of his 8 chances for break
The third-seeded Belgrade native improved to 5-0 lifetime against Ginepri. He will look to continue his run when he faces no.22 seed Jurgen Melzer in quarter-finals on Wednesday. The Austrian defeated Russian qualifier and world no.114 Teimuraz Gabashvili 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in 2 hours and 54 minutes.
Djokovic won both matches against Melzer. The last was in Halle 2009 (6-1, 6-4).
