Novak Djokovic advances to the quarterfinals of the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open
Novak “Djoker” Djokovic outplayed compatriot as well as close friend, Viktor Troicki in straight sets in the fourth round of 2011 Sony Ericsson Open on Tuesday. One of the most successful and hawkish figures in the Serbian and
International tennis arena. Djokovic took one hour and twenty three minutes to move it into the quarterfinals of the tournament.
A week ago at the 2011 BNP Paribas Open, Djokovic was sworn in as the defending champion for the second time ousting Rafael Nadal in three sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, who narrowly defeated him in 2007.Djokovic claimed his sixth ATP World
Tour Masters 1000 victory after this win. Enroute to his victory, Djokovic had defeated Troicki in the third round. A week later, in their third meeting for the season, the higher ranked Serb once again defeated a fighting compatriot.
In the first set, Troicki fired in 3 aces and 56 per cent of first serves without a single double fault. Djokovic double faulted two times and struck a single ace. However, more skilled and experienced in the game, Djokovic rescued
100 per cent of his break point opportunities and grabbed the opening set with a 6-3 score.
In the second set, Djokovic struck two aces and 58 per cent of first serves, winning 79 per cent of points on them. In comparison, Troicki didn’t hit a single ace and double faulted two times. He won 47 per cent of points from
his 63 per cent first serves. Djokovic couldn’t face a single break point opportunity, while Troicki saved 50 per cent of them. The higher ranked Serb saved 50 per cent of break point opportunities in return and clinched the second set with a 6-2 score.
Djokovic will face Kevin Anderson of South Africa in the quarterfinals of the tournament. This will be second meeting between these two players. Their last meeting came at 2008 ATP Masters Miami where Kevin Anderson defeated world
number 2 Djokovic, leaving everyone shocked. Despite the huge disparity in rankings, Anderson outplayed Djokovic in three sets 7-6(1), 3-6 and 6-4.
Thanks to a lucky streak, Djokovic has extended his year-to-date win-loss record to 21-0 and will do his best to extend it further at the quarterfinals.
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