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3/16/09 12:54 AM | Cheryl Murray
Novak Djokovic looked somewhat unconvincing in his straight-set win over clay-courter Martin Vassallo Arguello on Sunday at the Masters Series Indian Wells.
World No. 3 Novak Djokovic got off to a shaky start against Martin Vassallo Arguello. The Serb was content to trade extended baseline rallies with Vassallo Arguello throughout the entire first set. Neither man served particularly well, but Djokovic especially struggled with his first-serve percentage (55% for the set). The two men traded breaks of serve early in the set; Djokovic was only able to squeak another break on a weak service game from the Argentine.
The beginning of the second set was not much better from Djokovic. He drew first blood, securing the early break – only to be broken back immediately by Vassallo Arguello for 2-2. The underdog had a marathon service game at 3-3, and he fought off several break points before eventually surrendering a second service break. Once he had a commanding lead in the second set, Djokovic loosened up and began to play better through the end of the match.
Djokovic will play German veteran Tommy Haas in the third round.
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posmatrac - Yes indeed. He is not flattening out his forehand & hitting it deep where he forces his opponent back. Instead alot of topspin - it must be fear of hitting it long with this new racquet, which is supposedly more powerful than the Wilson. Topspin is not as effective on HC's as on clay - the players will eat that up on HC's (Rafa being an anomoly because of his extreme topspin). I wish he would come to net more on short balls to finish off points instead of retreating to the baseline. He started to do more of this in the 2nd set.
tenisbebe , 3/16/09 9:22 AM
agree, he needs to introduce more net play in his game ...
posmatrac , 3/16/09 9:34 AM
If he keeps playing like this then its really possible that he will beat Rafa !!!!!!!!! ha ha ha
tomnjerry2 , 3/16/09 9:51 AM
posmatrac - Yes, he came to the net more in the 2nd set, thereby shortening up the points. I think the stats at the end were 11-20 net points won. Respectable given a player who is adverse to the net. I'm sure the racquet adjustments contribute to his adversity to the net. But he looks pretty good up there! I'm just waiting for those low flat shots to appear again, the ones where he changes the direction so quickly - a thing of beauty those are.
tenisbebe , 3/16/09 10:12 AM
"Rusty"? ah, it's the media darling again....
noleisthebest , 3/16/09 12:32 PM
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true, he needs to shift a gear or two up if he wants to deal with the likes of Querrey, Roddick, etc. Also noticed that he is hitting top spin forehands more often as opposed to flattening them out like before - i guess this has to do something with his racquet change?
posmatrac , 3/16/09 8:40 AM