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6/24/08 11:59 PM | David Cox
Novak Djokovic isn't the smoothest of starters to grand slam campaigns. Maybe it's overconfidence or simply early round nerves but after struggling in rd1 of Roland Garros, Djokovic was again in difficulties against Michael Berrer on Monday before securing a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 win
The 3rd seed was rated ahead of Federer as 2nd favourite for this year's title by Bjorn Borg and on paper Berrer should have posed no problems, he hasn't won consecutive matches all year
However the German was not fazed by his first centre court appearance and the two were neck and neck in the early stages. Berrer had a simple but effective strategy, smash the forehand and get to the net on anything short. Backed up by accurate serving (he saved 6 break points in the opener) he appeared on course to take the 1st set to a tiebreak. But Djokovic had other ideas and at 6-5 he strung together some good returns and a backhand long cost Berrer the set
However that backhand proved too hot to handle for Djokovic in set 2. Within no time at all Berrer was a double break up and ripping winners from anywhere. The set was his in just 24 minutes
The centre court crowd was buzzing, sensing a possible upset. Djokovic though is a tough cookie and started again producing some of his best tennis to gain an early break in the 3rd. With his serving level restored to its usual high, he was soon 2 sets to 1 up and swept through the 4th in miserly fashion allowing Berrer just 9 points
Afterwards Djokovic said “I was happy with my performance, especially in the 4th set. It's not easy playing on the Centre Court, almost full stadium, a lot of expectations. Most of the first matches are the trickiest ones. But happy to get through.”
“The grass is pretty slow. I was trying to get used to the returns. I was trying to be aggressive at the same time. But he was serving pretty good in the first two sets, and I was unable to step it up. Maybe I lost focus towards the end of the second set, but I managed to come back.”
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posmatrac, Aug 29, 2008 6:03 AM
agf25agf, Aug 28, 2008 1:21 PM
tenstar, Aug 28, 2008 11:06 AM
ed251137, Aug 28, 2008 9:39 AM
cherylmurray, Aug 27, 2008 3:10 PM
elle, Aug 29, 2008 6:43 AM
DejaBlue, Aug 28, 2008 7:05 PM
dusko82, Aug 28, 2008 11:33 AM
Novak Djokovic
Michael Berrer
Wimbledon
