Djokovic into semi-finals with emphatic win over Khachanov
Greg Garber
Novak Djokovic, playing with his usual uncanny precision, won his seventh consecutive match Friday night, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-3 at the Astana Open.
The Serbian star advanced to his sixth semi-final of the season, where he will play the winner of the late match between No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev and Roberto Bautista Agut. The World No. 7 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings won the title last week in Tel Aviv.
«I didn’t play as well from the baseline as I did in the first two matches,» Djokovic said immediately after the match, «but still it was enough. I managed to produce some good tennis when it was the most needed in both sets.»
Meanwhile, at the top of the draw, No. 5 seed Andrey Rublev scored a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 victory over Adrian Mannarino, while No. 3 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was a 7-6 (8) winner over Hubert Hurkacz. The two winners will meet in Saturday’s other semi-final.
Khachanov, who has now lost 20 straight matches to Top 10 opponents – nine in 2022 – has now fallen in seven of eight matches to Djokovic across his career.
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Djokovic served exceptionally well, winning 29 of 34 first-serve point (85 percent). At the same time, one of history’s greatest returners converted three of five break-point opportunities against Khachanov’s formidable serve.
It has been a sometimes difficult and disjointed for Djokovic, who did not play the Australian Open and US Open because of COVID-19 vaccine restrictions. He played two matches in the Laver Cup in late September after a nearly three-month sabbatical after winning Wimbledon. And now the 35-year-old seems to be returning to familiar form.
Djokovic broke the unseeded Khachanov in his first service game and led 3-0, before Khachanov found an equilibrium and won the next three games. Serving to stay in the match at 4-5, a backhand error gave Djokovic set point. He converted it with a gorgeous backhand volley into the open court.
After failing to convert a break point against Khachanov in the second game of the second set, Djokovic managed it in the fourth. A forehand winner that may have clipped the line gave him a 3-1 lead. In the end, Djokovic was steadier in the long points. He ended it with an emphatic ace.
«I always expect highs from myself,» Djokovic said. «Hopefully I can elevate still the level of my game for tomorrow because it’s going to be needed, obviously, whoever I play against.
The interviewer asked, «Where did that mental strength come from?
«Childhood,» was Djokovic’s one-word answer, referring to his upbringing in war-torn Belgrade, Serbia.
How so?
«Well,» Djokovic continued, «growing up in Serbia if you did grow up in Serbia you would understand.»
Novak Djokovic, playing with his usual uncanny precision, won his seventh consecutive match Friday night, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-3 at the Astana Open.
The Serbian star advanced to his sixth semi-final of the season, where he will play the winner of the late match between No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev and Roberto Bautista Agut. The World No. 7 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings won the title last week in Tel Aviv.
«I didn’t play as well from the baseline as I did in the first two matches,» Djokovic said immediately after the match, «but still it was enough. I managed to produce some good tennis when it was the most needed in both sets.»
Meanwhile, at the top of the draw, No. 5 seed Andrey Rublev scored a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 victory over Adrian Mannarino, while No. 3 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was a 7-6 (8) winner over Hubert Hurkacz. The two winners will meet in Saturday’s other semi-final.
Khachanov, who has now lost 20 straight matches to Top 10 opponents – nine in 2022 – has now fallen in seven of eight matches to Djokovic across his career.
Djokovic served exceptionally well, winning 29 of 34 first-serve point (85 percent). At the same time, one of history’s greatest returners converted three of five break-point opportunities against Khachanov’s formidable serve.
It has been a sometimes difficult and disjointed for Djokovic, who did not play the Australian Open and US Open because of COVID-19 vaccine restrictions. He played two matches in the Laver Cup in late September after a nearly three-month sabbatical after winning Wimbledon. And now the 35-year-old seems to be returning to familiar form.
Djokovic broke the unseeded Khachanov in his first service game and led 3-0, before Khachanov found an equilibrium and won the next three games. Serving to stay in the match at 4-5, a backhand error gave Djokovic set point. He converted it with a gorgeous backhand volley into the open court.
After failing to convert a break point against Khachanov in the second game of the second set, Djokovic managed it in the fourth. A forehand winner that may have clipped the line gave him a 3-1 lead. In the end, Djokovic was steadier in the long points. He ended it with an emphatic ace.
«I always expect highs from myself,» Djokovic said. «Hopefully I can elevate still the level of my game for tomorrow because it’s going to be needed, obviously, whoever I play against.
The interviewer asked, «Where did that mental strength come from?
«Childhood,» was Djokovic’s one-word answer, referring to his upbringing in war-torn Belgrade, Serbia.
How so?
«Well,» Djokovic continued, «growing up in Serbia if you did grow up in Serbia you would understand.»
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