(Astana) Serbian Novak Djokovic (7e world) qualified for the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 tournament in Astana by beating Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in two sets, 6-3, 6-1 on Thursday.
Posted at 10:26
“Djoko”, who had beaten the Chilean Cristian Garin the day before in 64 minutes, only needed six more minutes to get the 34e world player.
The man with 21 Grand Slam titles, who hopes to get the 90e title of his career in Kazakhstan, will face Russian Karen Khachanov (18e), defeating Marin Cilic in three sets of 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
After a hotly contested start to the match, the Dutchman managing to give the former world number 1 a hard time, Djokovic managed to break at 3-2 and played until the end of the first set, s relying on his first-ball quality (84% success rate in the first set and two break points to be discarded throughout the match).
In the second set, the 35-year-old Serb went up a notch, twice seizing his opponent’s serve and winning on his first match point with a forehand attack.
Only small fright, he had to involve the physiotherapist in the middle of the first run, complaining of discomfort to a nail.
In the finale of the strange season experienced by the Serb, deprived of the Australian Open in January and American tournaments, including the United States Open, because of his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19, Djokovic seems to be chasing after lost time.
Last week, for his first tournament on the main circuit since his coronation at Wimbledon, he won without conceding a single set the ATP 250 tournament in Tel Aviv, his third title this season (he also won on clay beaten from Rome in May).
Astana represents an ideal opportunity for him to garner the points necessary to secure his place for the Turin Masters (November 13-20).