(Belgrade) Novak Djokovic of Serbia defeated compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the Serbian Tennis Open quarter-finals on Thursday.
Posted at 1:59 p.m.
Djokovic, the world No. 1, disposed of his 38-ranked rivaland in the world in two hours and 18 minutes on Serbian clay.
The “Djoker” thus increased his career record to 2-0 against Kecmanovic, after inflicting a 6-1, 6-3 defeat at the same stage of the competition last year.
Thus, Djokovic, who is looking for a first title in 2022, has not lost against a player from his country since a loss at the hands of Janko Tipsarevic, in Madrid, in 2012.
Djokovic proved to be slightly more opportunistic than his opponent, having converted six of his eight break points – against four of eight for Kecmanovic.
The holder of 20 career Grand Slam singles titles will face the winner of the duel between Russian Karen Khachanov and Brazilian Thiago Monteiro in the semi-finals.
On Wednesday, Djokovic got to his feet after conceding the first set and beat his compatriot Laslo Djere 2-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4) in the second round, in a match that lasted almost three and a half hours.
The world No 1 had struggled to find his rhythm in what was only his fifth game of the year and Djere, 50and in the world, gave himself break points in each of Djokovic’s four serves in the first set.
Djokovic had looked better in the second set and recovered after dropping three set points in the 12and game to finally win the tiebreaker.
Djere had a chance to take a 5-3 lead in the deciding set tiebreaker, but Djokovic instead earned the final four points to run away with the victory.