Match report

Novak Djokovic © Tennistalk.com
ATP Masters Series Madrid
2nd round
10/15/08 Tot
rs  Novak Djokovic Victor Hanescu Retired
ro  Victor Hanescu -2
Victor Hanescu © Tennistalk.com

  • Djokovic sneaks past Hanescu as the Romanain retires in the third

    10/15/08 11:13 PM | Jonathan Morgan
    A match closer than expected for the World #3 as he took on Victor Hanescu and just did get by.

    The first set was tight throughout. Hanescu got up an early break on the Serbian as Djokovic looked a bit shaky at the start. Novak got himself back together as he broke back to level the set. Haneescu served big and was looking to be aggresive from the first ball. He threw down 4 aces in the first set alone. The tiebreak was as close as can be as both men fought for control of the set. Hanescu's first serve was huge in the breaker as he took it 10-8.

    The second saw more of the same. Djokovic upped his level a bit but Hanescu was still on fire. The Romanian served at 81% in the second set and saved both break points he faced. It was a fine match to see. Djokovic also powered up his serve and made it to a tiebreak without being broken. Twice the Serb was down a minibreak in the tiebreak, but both times he came back to eventually win it 8-6.

    Hanescu then looked to be injured in the third set and retired down 1-3. After the match, Djokovic commented that he was lucky to get through that match as Victor was playing incredibly well, a very fair assessment.

    Djokovic will face Ivo Karlovic in the next round, and should expect more huge serves from the Croat.

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