Novak Djokovic turns in a convincing performance against Jarkko Nieminen on Friday in Monte-Carlo. Djokovic is joined in the semifinals by Fabio Fognini, who upset Richard Gasquet in straight sets.
(1) Novak Djokovic d. Jarkko Nieminen 6-4, 6-3
Novak Djokovic’s slow start lasted only two games this time. Djokovic, who needed three sets to win each of his first two matches at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, rolled through a quarterfinal clash against Nieminen in one hour and 17 minutes on Friday.
Coming off two consecutive victories in third-set tiebreakers over Milos Raonic and Juan Martin Del Potro, a confident Nieminen came out firing in this one. The 31-year-old Finn survived five deuces and three break points in the opening game of the match before earning a scalp of his opponent’s serve for 2-0. If more questions about Djokovic’s ankle were surfacing, however, the world No. 1 quickly put them to rest. Djokovic seized breaks of his own in the third and ninth games then served out the opener without much trouble at 5-4.
The top-seeded Serb was off to the races as he broke twice more en route to a commanding 3-0 advantage in set two. Nieminen, though, was not about to end his impressive Monte-Carlo run without a fight. The world No. 49 broke back for 1-3 and eventually for 3-5 as well, but he had a terrible time on his own serve. Djokovic’s sixth break of the match wrapped up the proceedings in style and he clinched his first match point when Nieminen struck an errant backhand.
Fabio Fognini d. (7) Richard Gasquet 7-6(0), 6-2
Fognini booked a spot in his first-ever Masters 1000 semifinal by taking out Gasquet in one hour and 26 minutes on Friday. The Italian, who had crushed Tomas Berdych one round earlier, survived two break points and four deuces to earn the match’s first service hold at 2-1 in the first set. Gasquet eventually got back on level terms and even saw a set-point opportunity at 5-4, but his opponent managed to force a tiebreaker. There was littler drama in the decider, as Fognini raced through it without the loss of a single point.
Continuing to produce incredible shots while running Gasquet ragged, Fognini took complete control from the start of set two. The world No. 32 held his first three service games with ease before breaking at love for a 4-2 lead. A reeling Gasquet could not recover and the seventh-seeded Frenchman donated serve one more time at 2-5 to end his stay in Monte-Carlo. Fognini, who fired three aces along with Gasquet, is 0-4 lifetime against Djokovic heading into Saturday’s semifinal.
Where did Fognini come from this week? Yes, he has talent, but he’s never played this consistently, at least I don’t think he has!