Help
5/6/11 11:47 PM | Ricky Dimon
Novak Djokovic loses a set but wins the match against David Ferrer during quarterfinal action in Madrid on Friday. Djokovic advances to a surprising clash with Thomaz Bellucci.
The streak is alive for Novak Djokovic, but not without a struggle.
Djokovic recovered from a second-set hiccup to defeat David Ferrer 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Mutua Madrid Open on Friday night. The world No. 2 improved to 30-0 for his 2011 campaign after two hours and 27 minutes.
This one was back-and-forth right from the start. Ferrer thrilled the Spanish crowd and hinted at an upset by breaking immediately for a 2-0 lead. Djokovic, though, broke back for 2-2 and a decisive scalp of his opponent's serve came at 4-4.
After serving out the opening frame of play, Djokovic appeared to take complete control by breaking at love to begin set two. Ferrer, however, recovered for 2-2 just as Djokovic had done in the first. The sixth-ranked Spaniard then broke at 5-4 to force a third.
But in the end, Djokovic proved to be too much. The second-seeded Serb struck for a critical break at 2-2 with a perfect down-the-line forehand. He did not even have to serve it out at the finish line because he clinched victory with a break at 5-3, converting his first match point at 0-40 on an errant Ferrer forehand.
"I needed to work hard and I was in a good position at a set and a break up, but I started playing too defensive," Djokovic explained. "He got into the match. It was really close in the third. I got the crucial break."
"I think it was a good match from my side," Ferrer said. "I tried everything."
And "everything" includes a point midway through the first set in which the No. 6 seed purposely whiffed a smash and then hit a drop-shot. Although he executed it well, Djokovic was not fooled and returned it with a running forehand winner.
Find the latest tennis odds at Unibet.com
Tell a friend »
30-0
tennis2011 , 5/7/11 12:16 AM
Not the sharpest performance by Nole's standards today but, hey, a win is a win is a win :))). David was great, fast, precise, impressed me with his services (most of the times). Nole seemed a bit out of sorts, and it looked like his shoulder was troubling him.
I am extremely happy for this win but will also like to congratulate David for such great fighting. It was a damn close match.
danica , 5/7/11 2:07 AM
Madrid is getting prettier, as my 2 men(Rafa & Novak) reached the semis.
If they able to make it to the final, then that's the battle of STREAK.
May the best man win.
I am enjoying so far tennis.
Raindrops , 5/7/11 6:02 AM
"purposely whiffed a smash" ? Now I am even more surprised by that move
atg , 5/7/11 9:57 AM
ye i agree, i dont think that was on purpose. even the commentators were talkin about how on earth he could miss that, and ferrer's woeful smile in the end of tht suggested he was thinking along those lines too.
mriiidula , 5/7/11 10:18 AM
I don't think he did it deliberately. Live he looked to be very surprised. Ferrer does everything TOO QUICKLY! (a match between him and Roddick must be a nightmare for the ball boys/girls).
Shireling , 5/7/11 1:37 PM
Well done Nole :)
samprallica , 5/7/11 3:23 PM
Scan QR code to access Unibet mobile.
Bet on Sports wherever you are and whenever you like, with Unibet's quick and simple mobile client you can place bets, check results and see live odds.
For more info about QR codes & scanners click here.
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.5.0
Disclaimer © 2001-2012, Moneytainment Media Ltd - All rights reserved
it doesn't matter if he loses a set or win with struggling ............ WIN is WIN !!!!!!!!!!!
yoya1108 , 5/7/11 12:14 AM