17. 04. 2009. ·
World number three Novak Djokovic defeated Fernando Verdasco in three sets, 6-2 4-6 6-3 in 2 hours and 18 minutes at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters on Friday.
Djokovic opened the match with a very confident service hold. Verdasco made a few unforced errors in the second game and handed Novak an early break to love. Novak was playing really well. He earned himself another break point in the eighth game and capitalised on it to take the first set 6-2.
Both players held to love at the beginning of the second set. Novak saved a break point in the third game, and failed to convert three in the next. The Serb faced break points again in the fifth game and this time Verdasco used his chance and broke Djokovic’s service for the first time in the match to go up 3-2. Nole broke back immediately to equalise the score. He faced scare in the seventh game but held to take a 4-3 lead. It didn’t last long. Verdasco held to love. Djokovic made two double faults and handed him opportunities to break, which he did at the second attempt. The Spaniard was serving for the second set and won it 6-4 after Novak hit a forehand into the net. (world number three made 21 unforced errors in the second set)
Djokovic opened the third set with a service hold and had a chance for a break in the second game but failed to convert it. He earned three more break points in the sixth game and used the third for 4-2. The Serb hit two aces and held to increase his lead to 5-2. There were no breaks til the end of the match and Nole won it,closing the set 6-3.
Novak served 4 aces to Verdasco’s 2, they both made 5 double faults.
The Serb hit 18 winners to the Spaniard’s 8, and made 39 unforced errors, 9 less than no.7 seed.
Nole capitalised on 4 of his 10 chances for break, while Verdasco converted 2 of his 6 break points.
Djokovic will play against no.13 seed Stanislas Wawrinka for a place in his first Monte Carlo finals. The Swiss player beat German qualifier Andreas Beck in straight sets.
Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki reached doubles semifinals. They defeated Bhupathi/Knowles 6-4 4-6 12-10. Their semifinal opponents on Saturday will be Zimonjic and Nestor.
