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2/25/09 9:19 PM | Ricky Dimon
Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic survive serious scares on Wednesday at the Barclays Tennis Championships. They will now square off in the Dubai quarterfinals.
Novak Djokovic d. Jan Hernych 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
Djokovic beat Hernych in straight sets just last week in Marseille, but it was much more difficult this time around in the second round of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. Djokovic needed two hours and seven minutes to book his spot in the quarterfinals, but for a while it looked like it wouldn't be so taxing. The No. 1 seed seized one break of serve in the first set and took care of all five of his service games to take the opener 6-3. But that's when it all started falling apart for Djokovic, who began spraying unforced errors from all over the court. His service percentage plummeted to 50 percent while Hernych put in 85 percent of his first deliveries in set two. The Czech used one break of serve to level the match, and the carnage did not stop there for Djokovic.
Hernych went up a break in the third for 2-1 before his opponent finally righted the ship. The Serb broke right back and eventually forced Hernych to serve to stay in the proceedings at 4-5. Hernych saved one match point with a forehand winner at 15-40, but Djokovic capitalized on his second chance with a forehand passing shot. Djokovic will now meet Marin Cilic for a spot in the semifinals. They squared off in the first round of Dubai last year and Djokovic won in straight sets. Their other encounter, however, was an absolute thriller in the third round of last summer's U.S. Open. Djokovic survived in a fourth-set tiebreaker after dropping the first set.
Marin Cilic d. Julien Benneteau 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
Cilic survived a scare against Janko Tipsarevic in his Dubai opener, and he fought through an even tougher battle against Benneteau on Wednesday afternoon. For the second time time in as many matches, Cilic and Benneteau took a head-to-head encounter the distance. The 6'6'' Croat prevailed at last year's U.S. Open in five sets and this time around he emerged victorious 7-5 in the third. For a while it looked like it would be much easier for Cilic, as the No. 5 seeded dominated set one with two breaks of serve. He also lost just three points in four service games. Cilic, however, lost his way it the second, especially on serve. His put in just 43 percent of his first serves and one break was enough for Benneteau to even the match at a set apiece. The veteran Frenchman helped his efforts by firing six aces and saving two of two break points in the second.
Benneteau went toe-to-toe with his favored opponent throughout the final set, and neither man faced a single break point until Benneteau served to stay in the match at 5-6. Up 30-15 and seemingly on his way to a tiebreaker, Benneteau self-destructed and gave away the last three points of the afternoon. Cilic capitalized on his first break chance of the third to finish off the proceedings in two hours and 23 minutes. The 20-year-old moves on to the quarterfinals despite serving at 54 percent and getting out-aced by Benneteau 15-9.
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chances are slim, not even enough time to rest ....
posmatrac , 2/25/09 9:55 PM
Come on Posmatrac,
Nole is class, have faith!
He'll beat him, ugly, of course!
Nole plays beautifully only in the finals!
noleisthebest , 2/25/09 10:11 PM
i hope you are right, i wanted to retire during the match :)
posmatrac , 2/25/09 10:21 PM
I only retire when I can see he is losing a match, otherwise I eat!!!!
noleisthebest , 2/25/09 10:42 PM
good luck nole!
RafaelNadalGirl20 , 2/26/09 1:43 AM
good luck Cilic !!!!!!!!!!! hope u will do it !!!!!!!!!!!!!
tomnjerry2 , 2/26/09 5:41 AM
i don't know what is the deal with him, he has serious physical problems his fitness is strange giving the fact he is still 21 and you can feel him dieing out there,you can see some beautiful shot now and then but the movement doesn't suit 3rd player,he needs to find challenges with his own body,try to expand his physical capiblities,though i think best of three gives him more chances but still even against the 2nd catagory of players like Tsonga,Verdasco,Simon,Monflis..............i think they can beat him easily
tennislover , 2/26/09 8:44 AM
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It was painful to watch novak today. I hope he can find some form tomorrow
orion , 2/25/09 9:35 PM