22. 08. 2009. ·
Fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic advanced into the semifinals at the World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati (hard, $ 3,000,000). He beat world no.9 Gilles Simon in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 in 1 hour and 28 minutes.
Djokovic earned his first break point in the fourth game but Simon held for 2-2. Nole was more successful in the tenth game when he capitalised on his third break/set point to close the set 6-4 in 38 minutes.
The Serb battled through the opening game of the second set that lasted for 10 minutes, when he saved two break points. Djokovic got broken in the fifth game, but fought back immediately to level the score. Though it was obvious that the Frenchman had a problem with his right knee, he saved two break points and held in the eighth game to stay in the set. Novak managed to make a crucial break in the 12th game when he used his first match point for 7-5.
Djokovic served 8 aces to Simon’s 6.
He hit 24 winners to Simon’s 18 and made 27 unforced errors to his opponent’s 30.
The Serb capitalised on 3 of his 9 chances for break, while the Frenchman converted 1 of his 3 break points.
This was their fourth match, Nole now leads 3-1.
Novak will play against Rafael Nadal for a place in the finals. The Spaniard defeated Czech Tomas Berdych with the same score 6-4 7-5.
Djokovic and Nadal have met 18 times, Rafa leads 14-4. World no.3 won their last five matches. Nole beat Nadal in the Cincinnati semifinals last year.
