2011 French Open: Novak Djokovic extends winning streak; Victor Hanescu retires in 2nd round
The unstoppable juggernaut of 2011 – Serb Novak “Djoker” Djokovic extended his winning streak to thirty nine matches this season as Romanian Victor Hanescu retired from the third set in their second round matchup on Wednesday evening
at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France.
Contesting in his second Grand Slam of the season, the clay court Roland Garros, Djokovic currently holds a seven on seven title wins for the season including the title win at the season opening Grand Slam, the Australian Open.
A sensation on both hard and clay court – as he proved in the last two months – Djokovic hopes to win his third career Grand Slam here, next week. Starting his title run at the event last Monday, the Serb met and defeated Dutch
Thiemo de Bakker in straight sets in his opening match here.
Playing the Romanian for the sixth time in his career, the Serb entered his match today confidently as he comfortably held his serve in the first game. However, what should have been easy picking for the Serb proved to be a little
more than.
Hanescu followed closely in the Serb’s heels as he matched blow for blow, keeping the score tied for the first eight games. However, a combination of an erroneous shot from Hanescu and a powerful forehand from Djokovic, gave the
Serb the coveted break he needed as he clinched the first set 6-4.
Leading 1-0 in the set score, the Djoker was well on his way to yet another straight sets victory. Opening serve in the second set, the Serb held his serve plausibly and broke Hanescu in the second game after two deuces to lead
the game score 2-0, which minutes later he extended to 5-0, after successfully breaking the error-prone Romanian’s serve in the fourth game. Serving for the set at 5-1, Djokovic sailed to a breadstick victory hitting a well placed winner at 40-0 in the seventh
game.
In a 0-2 trail in the set score, the Romanian called in for his physician to have his knee looked over. Play resumed after a two minutes break.
However, leading 3-2 in the third set, Hanescu retired from the match on account of his knee, giving Djokovic an automatic win and a berth in the third round.
Djokovic moves on ahead to play the Argentine sensation, Juan Martin Del Potro.
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