Novak Djokovic reduced his unforced error count by 73 from one match to the next when he destroyed Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Tuesday night. Djokovic sprayed a shocking 100 errors in a five-set win over Gilles Simon on Sunday, but the world No. 1’s 27 mistakes were exactly half as many as Nishikori’s 54.
“That was the goal, to decrease the unforced errors ratio,” Djokovic explained. I knew that I [was] going to play against an opponent that plays very fast, faster than Simon (and) makes also more unforced errors. I was solid. I was determined, focused. In important points and moments I managed to stay composed and make him play an extra shot. Overall it was a very solid performance.”
Nishikori did not break serve throughout the first two sets, squandering five chances in the second. The underdog twice went up a break in the third but could not consolidate his brief advantages. Djokovic got right back on track to eventually seal the deal in two hours and seven minutes.
Highlights:
Roger Federer preceded Djokovic in marching to the semis, as the 34-year-old Swiss made routine 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-4 work of Tomas Berdych on Tuesday afternoon. Federer trailed by break at 2-1 but immediately righted the ship for 2-2. The 34-year-old Swiss later won it in a tiebreaker.
“I think the first set was tough,” the third seed reflected. “It was the one that took the longest, had the most importance of all the sets, in my opinion. It was definitely key to the rest of the match because I think it maybe might’ve taken some energy out of Tomas. Who knows? If not physical, also mental. It’s always tough to lose the first set in best of five in a ‘breaker in my opinion.”
It certainly was for Berdych, as the Czech was nowhere close to as competitive in the second and third. Federer needed a total of just one hour and 17 minutes to take the final two frames, thus clinching victory in two hours and 16 minutes.
Highlights:
[polldaddy poll=9286575]
Leave a Reply