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6/11/09 7:01 PM | Ricky Dimon
Novak Djokovic stages a huge comeback to defeat Florent Serra at the Gerry Weber Open on Thursday afternoon. Djokovic is through to the quarterfinals.
Novak Djokovic somehow fended off what would have been a huge upset at Halle, Germany's Gerry Weber Open on Saturday afternoon. Djokovic trailed 7-5, 5-2 and saved five match points to shock unseeded Florent Serra 5-7, 7-5, 6-1 in second-round action. Djokovic needed two hours and five minutes to book his place in the quarterfinals, where will take on either Jurgen Melzer or Nicolas Kiefer.
It was clear right from the start that this was going to be a surprisingly tough battle for Djokovic, as the No. 2 seed's serve let him down early and often in set one. He served at just 48 percent in the first set, but it did not cost him until he served to stay in the set at 5-6. Neither man could break serve up until that point. Serra saved two break points along the way, and he capitalized on his third break chance of the afternoon to take a one-set lead.
Throughout most of the second set, it looked like Djokovic would go away quickly and allow Serra to score an emphatic upset. The 56th-ranked Frenchman seized a quick break and took care of his own serve en route to a commanding 5-2 advantage. With Djokovic serving to stay in it, Serra promptly earned triple-match point at 0-40. The favored Serb, however, saved all three--including the second with an ace--and ended up winning five straight points to hold.
Serra then got another chance to finish it off--this time with the match on his racket while serving at 5-3, 40-30--but Djokovic thwarted a fourth match point and ended up breaking to stay alive. A fifth match point ensued at 4-5, 30-40 on Djokovic's serve, but the world No. 4 erased it with his ninth ace of the proceedings. A reeling Serra had a game point at 5-5, 40-30 to get somewhat back on track, but he blew it, got broken, the saw Djokovic hold easily at 6-5 to force an improbable third.
From there it was all over. A Djokovic forehand off the net cord on break point gave him an immediate 1-0 lead and he never looked back. He broke again for 4-1 and finished off the comeback vicotory in style with yet another break. Djokovic saved all four of the break points he faced in set three to consolidate his advantage.
Djokovic finished with 14 aces to just a single double-fault.
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yes,it would be nice if Novak wins Halle.He needs a confidence boost!!!
sisterofnight12 , 6/11/09 10:38 PM
C'mon Nole!!!!
bianca , 6/12/09 1:22 AM
A win at a 250pt tourny like Halle would be enough to make Nole satisfied if not overconfident at his grass court season, and he will probably underperform again at wimby. On the other hand if he lost early he'd be in the wrong frame of mind too. Just play your game Nole and leave the Head out of it!
yea yea i know its a pun.
stu , 6/12/09 5:20 AM
Just show that there is not so much gap between the top 4 and other players compared to when Fed was dominating with a close Nadal during those years. Top players need to maintain a high-level performance even against top 50 players becoz on a very good day for the low-ranked players, they can definitely beat the top players.
This remind me of Nadal Vs Nalby where Nalby just couldnt close out the match. Serra with a lil bit more composure would have put Djoker away but I guess this is the difference between a Grand Slam winner and those who never won it.
torres9 , 6/12/09 7:24 AM
What a match, I've got little bit disappointed with Nole's attitude, he shouldn't let himself saving 5 match points, he's in pinnacle of his career, all respect for Serra, he's an good example how dangerous could be a player lower ranking, but finally Novak has shown a difference between top players and the others...
gordana , 6/12/09 9:00 AM
Yes Gordana, I was also disappointed and started considering idea to stop watching. But I stayed and then noticed (after 2nd set) straps on Novak's left shoulder, which would explain his insisting on playing one-handed slice backhand during whole 1st & most of 2nd set. But he managed to hit few "normal" backhands toward the end of match - so I hope it's not serious.
HogarTheHorrible , 6/12/09 11:26 AM
gordana,
You're disappointed cause he saved 5 match points!!
The main thing is to win, no matter what.
torres is right though, it's partly Serra's fault for choking in the eye of victory but that's tennis.
I hope Nole doesn't overdo it and has to miss out on Wimby, it would be a shame.
Shireling , 6/12/09 1:58 PM
No doubt some may argue that Nole shouldn't even have given Serra 5 match points, but I think Nole's awesome in turning things around and not giving up in the face of defeat. I guess in the end his experience and nerves carried him through, so great work on Nole's part. Gordana, you should be proud of your boy :)
Hogar...I didn't notice the straps! That's indeed a tad worrying. I hope he wouldn't risk any injury for Wimby! Would much rather he pull out of Halle if the shoulder's troubling him, and rest the shoulder in time for Wimby to be honest.
jyannis , 6/12/09 2:28 PM
Shireling, dear I'm not disappointed he saved 5 match point, actually I'm delighted, but his way of playing was wrong, so relaxing, certainly I'm more than happy...
jyannis, thank you very much indeed, I'm so proud of my boy, regards...
gordana , 6/12/09 2:43 PM
i think this straps on a left shoulder may be a good (ok injury is certainly not good in any possible way) thing since he is forced to play one-handed backhand slice, a stroke he neglects regularly in favour of his regular backhand stroke. he should definitively utilize slice backhand more often.
posmatrac , 6/12/09 4:53 PM
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Nice Djoker! 5 Match points?! wow! I really hope Djoker wins this tournament. Go Djoko!! =}
Ariel , 6/11/09 8:19 PM