Another brilliant performance from the world no.2!
Nole enjoyed a convincing straight-sets win against unseeded Austrian Jurgen Melzer on Friday to progress to the semi-finals of the China Open.
The 25-year-old Serbian star maintained his unbeaten record at the Beijing tournament by dismantling the player ranked no.37 6-1, 6-2.
Novak converted all four of his break point opportunities and won 80 per cent of his first serve points to clinch the victory in just 54 minutes. He improved to a 3-1 record against the Vienna native, sealing his 63rd win on the year.
“I have stepped up at least a level in each match that I have played here,” said the top seed. “But I am trying to be more aggressive and to have more efficiency on my serve. The serve was great tonight. It’s one of the best serving matches I have had in my career, so that’s a positive sign. I will try to keep on going.”
The 2009 and 2010 champion has won 12 straight matches in Beijing. He missed the ATP World Tour 500 tournament last year due to injury.
Djokovic will play against world no.29 German Florian Mayer on Saturday at 19.30 local time (13.30 CET). Mayer defeated Chinese wild card Ze Zhang 6-3, 6-4.
Novak won both their previous encounters, the most recent in the quarter-finals of the 2012 Wimbledon, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4.
Looking ahead to the next match, Nole said: “He has won against some good players this week. I know I’m the favourite in the match and obviously expected to go to the finals. But I cannot underestimate any opponent. He’s there for a reason, so I will try to focus and win that match.”
Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (3) will take on Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in the first semi-final of the day.
Photo: ChinaPhotoPress
