Novak Djokovic survives a tough test
against Stanislas Wawrinka in five sets like it happened earlier this year at
Australian Open
Djokovic started the game with a love hold
of serve, but Wawrinka fought back winning four straight games and pulling off
a double break lead. The World No. 1 wasn’t going to give up and recovered one
of the breaks reducing to 2 – 4, but Stan
was just too strong at the moment and took the first set 6 – 2 after just 34
minutes. Nole struggled with his serve, winning only 11% of points with his
second ball.
The Serbian had the first break point
opportunities in the second set, but wasn’t able to convert two chances when
leading 2 – 1 and Wawrinka came stronger to get the break in the next game.
After a hold of serve the Suisse was leading the second set by 4 – 2 and like
it happened this year at Australian Open had a set and a break lead. Despite
Wawrinka’s ruthless form, Djokovic showed all his defensive skills to get the
break back and this set was going to be decided in a tie break. Novak was the
strongest in the breaker, playing very solid from the baseline and after an
outstanding crossed forehand return winner tied this game at 1 set all.
The game intensity dropped in the third set
with both players unable to play their best tennis. Djokovic had a chance to
take Wawrinka’s serve on the opening game of the set, but Stan found his best serve and got himself out of troubles. After
some holds of serve there was a big moment of tension, Wawrinka was serving at
3- 3 with 30-30 and after a 30 shots rally the Suisse prevailed and hold serve
to get a 4 – 3 lead. The World No. 10 returned very strong and broke to love
Djokovic holding serve after that to take the third set by 6 – 3.
After seeing Djokovic’s comeback against
Federer in 2011 US Open semi-finals, you know the Serbian isn’t finished until
the game is over and he came even stronger in this fourth set claiming a 3 – 0
lead. Wawrinka got frustrated and the racket paid the price which has cost Stan a penalty point. At 1 – 4 the
Suisse called the trainer and went to the locker room to receive medical
timeout at what seemed to be a right groin problem. Both players held their
serve and Djokovic took this one 6 – 3 and the match would be decided
in a 5th set like in AO.
The decisive set started with a never
ending game that took more than 20 minutes and after saving 5 break points
Wawrinka got a 2 – 1 lead. Stan
seemed to be exhausted and after a hold from Djokovic, the Serbian finally made
the break with backhand unforced error from the Suisse to get his first lead in
this final set. Djokovic was able to hold serve since that decisive break to
book a place in Monday’s final after more than 4 hours of play.
On court interview Stan was desolated: “Great
tournament my first semi-final, I gave everything I had and it was an amazing
experience”
Djokovic on the other side admitted that he
was fortunate to win: “This matches are what we live for, me and Stan played a
great match. He played more aggressive and better tennis. I tried to adjust my game, had to run a lot and
always tried to find my rhythm. All the credit for him and I was fortunate to
play my best in the important moments”
No comments:
Post a Comment