(Belgrade) Novak Djokovic, whose start to the season is dotted, qualified for the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Belgrade on Saturday at the expense of Russian Karen Khachanov (N.26) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 after a match in which he presented two faces.
Posted at 10:22
The Serbian world number one, in search of a 3and title on his land, will face Russian Andrey Rublev, 8and world player, or the Italian Fabio Fognini (N.62), playing in the second semi-final.
As for his first two games of the week, against his compatriots Lazlo Djere (N.50) then Miomir Kecmanovic (N.38), Djokovic, in difficulty with his service (57% first ball only on the first set), had a sluggish start to the match, giving up his commitment in the first game of the match, saving a ball again broken at 2-0 and never managing to catch up on the first set.
“Nole” then presented a radically different face, more regular in the service, more precise on his returns, in control of the exchange, and played the next two sets against an opponent he had already beaten five times during their previous six encounters.
Before arriving at his favorite tournament, Djokovic, who was unable to defend his chances at the Australian Open or in the Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami due to his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID- 19, had only played four games since the start of the season, two victories then a defeat in February in Dubai and, above all, an elimination as soon as he entered the competition in Monte-Carlo last week.
By reaching the final in his hometown, he gives some color to his 2022 record (now five wins for two losses) and continues his rise to power in view of the big event of the season on clay, the Internationaux de France at Roland-Garros (22 May — 5 June).