Novak Djokovic has, in pain, composted his ticket for a 12th semi-final at Roland-Garros (a 45th semi-final in Grand Slam) after having dominated, without shining Karen Khachanov. The match changed in the tie-break of the 2nd set, won 7-0 by the Serb (the 5th decisive game, out of 5, won by Djokovic in Paris this year). Relieved by the outcome, Novak Djokovic summed up at a press conference: “Losing the second set would have made a really big difference. It was almost two games in one game. The first two are the worst I’ve played so far in this tournament. And then, then, the third set, the fourth set was pretty good. And so, I managed to hold my nerves during the tie-break of the second set, it was incredible by the way. Every point counted, and I played perfectly. So that gave me confidence, and then I got more into the balls. I felt more comfortable on the court.” Insisting on the tie-break, Novak Djokovic underlined: “I played a very good tie-break. Every point was already set in stone for me. It was written in advance. And sometimes it works. I’m lucky by the way, because throughout my career, I had very good results in tie-breaks (65% wins). My adversaries know it. I know that too. Mentally, I think it works in my favor. Every time I get to a tie-break moment, maybe I have that mental advantage over them, I try to use that.”
Looking ahead, he said, “Now I have two days to rest, which is great to recover and regain all the physical energy I can regain, and then give 100% on Friday.” He will face the winner of the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
