Novak Djokovic sweats it out in comeback three-setter to reach Serbia Open
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic dug
deep for the second match in a row to reach the semifinals of the Serbia Open
with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Miomir Kecmanovic.
Kecmanovic won the opening set without facing a break point, but
Djokovic finally showed signs of getting back to his best in the second and
then won the final four games of the decider in what was just his sixth match
of the year.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion stretched his winning streak
against compatriots to 10 matches going back to a loss to Janko Tipsarevic in
Madrid in 2012.
Djokovic next plays third-seeded Karen Khachanov, who defeated
Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro 7-5, 6-4.
Djokovic also endured a tough game Wednesday when he rallied from
a set down to beat compatriot Laslo Djere 2-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4).
He joked that he's happy he would not have to face another Serb in
the semifinals.
Djokovic opened his clay-court season with a surprising loss to
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Monte Carlo Masters last week, his first
match since being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships
in February.
Dubai was his first tournament of the year after he was barred
from playing at the Australian Open because of his unvaccinated status, which
also prevented him from playing tournaments in the United States last month.
Earlier Thursday, second-seeded Andrey Rublev defeated Jiri
Lehecka 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-2 and Fabio Fognini enjoyed a 6-2, 6-3 win over Aljaz
Bedene to reach the quarterfinals.
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