Novak Djokovic dismisses Alexandr Dolgopolov to reach last eight – US Open 2011
World number 1, Serbian Novak Djokovic moved one step closer to winning his third grand slam of the year as he knocked out 22nd seed Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine in straight sets 7-6(14), 6-4, 6-2 in the round of 16
of US Open at the Flushing Meadows in New York, USA on Monday. The match lasted for two hours and 26 minutes.
Dolgopolov drew the first blood in the first set, breaking the Serbian in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead but the Ukrainian failed to consolidate on the break of serve as he lost his serve in the next game to equalise the score
at 3-3. Djokovic and Dolgopolov won their service games in the following six games, levelling the score at 6-6 and taking the set to a tie-break. The Ukrainian started off the tie-break strongly as he won first four points to take a 4-0 lead but Djokovic responded
well, winning next five points to take the score to 5-4 in his favour. The Serbian and Dolgopolov received four set points each after that but could not convert. However, finally it was Djokovic who availed the opportunity at 15-14 to claim the tie-break.
After winning the opening set with the closest of margins, the Serbian came roaring as he broke Dolgopolov in the first and third game of the second set, racing to a 3-0 lead. The Ukrainian pulled one break back in the fourth game
and held his next service game to reduce the deficit to 2-3. However, Dolgopolov was unable to get the second break back, losing the set 4-6.
Djokovic carried the winning momentum into the third set and grabbed first four games, breaking the Ukrainian in the first and third game. The Serbian capitalised on the double break of serve to capture the set 6-2.
After the match, the right-handed said, "It was an interesting first set. I think it was exciting for the crowd to watch because it was very close. But I think it was an ugly first set game-wise because I wasn't happy with the
way I played. He was changing pace a lot. He was always sending me a different ball.”
The Serbian added, “It was really hard for me to adjust to it because of the conditions that we played in. So that's why it was crucial for me to win the first set. After I felt a bit more relaxed and I served well when I needed
to. I played okay, played enough to win."
Djokovic will meet his compatriot, twentieth seed Janko Tipsarevic in the quarterfinals.
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