2023-11-04 23:08:21
Only one more match to go to raise a seventh “Fanti tree”… Novak Djokovic, already a record holder for victories on the banks of the Seine, suffered in the semi-final against Andrey Rublev (n° 5) (5-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5). But we have known for a long time that the world No. 1 has the resources to reverse most situations.
Contrary to his usual style, Rublev knew how to play with his nerves to maintain a high level over time. To the point of masterfully winning the first round by making the break at 6-5.
“He played really, really well,” observes the boss. He is one of the fastest players on the circuit, especially on his forehand where he leaves little time to organize himself. Unfortunately for him, one of us had to lose…”
AND THE BOSS. ????
Pushed to his limits by a very good Andrey Rublev, Novak Djokovic managed to raise the level to win 5-7 7-6 7-5 and qualify for his 8th final at the Paris Masters!
58th final in Masters 1000, astonishing ???? pic.twitter.com/O1xnWWrLUJ
— We Are Tennis France (@WeAreTennisFR) November 4, 2023
In the second set, the Serb failed to convert four break points and his opponent came within three points of victory (0-15 to 5-4). Suffice to say a gap in the face of a rival of the size of the six-time winner of the tournament. Who had also learned the lesson of his disastrous tie-break on Friday evening against Rune in the quarterfinals.
With a solid first ball and spectacular shots (including a rocket in return of service) in key moments, Djokovic set the record straight (7-3).
After having doubled his traditional toilet break with a call to the physiotherapist to have a slightly stiff back massaged, the Belgrade resident, without being sovereign, did not fail in the final straight and took the upper hand over the winner of the Masters 1000 of Monte-Carlo, heroic despite a late success in the quarterfinals against De Minaur. Until a horrible double fault on the Serbian’s first ball…
On Sunday, Djokovic will play his sixth final in a row at Bercy and will aim for a 40th Masters 1000 title. Stainless and superhuman… “I’m not completely fresh but it’s not bad for a 36-year-old player,” he smiles. I have just fought three big battles (Griekspoor, Rune and Rublev) and I can be proud of my state of form. »
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