Novak Djokovic dismisses Michael Berrer in round one – China Open 2012
Top seed, Novak Djokovic, got the better of the German qualifier, Michael Berrer, in a three-set thriller at the China Open 2012 on Tuesday. He summed up a 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-2 victory against the German veteran to power into the second round at this outdoor hard court event held in Beijing, China.
The Serbian top ranked star remained on the right path to capture his fourth year-to-date title at the National Tennis Center. After stealing the show in just under two hours, Djokovic not only improved to a 2-0 lifetime in the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head Series against the world number 123 and secured a place in the round of 16.
"In the first set I felt that I could return a lot of serves, which I did, and played a really good set," said the Jubilant Serb in a courtside interview after winning the match. “Then I had a couple of break points in the first game of the second. He stayed with some big serves. That's when I think he changed his tactics and his service games. He started mixing it up more, and I had tough time reading it. I made little adjustment on the return, came closer to the line, and it paid off."
The five-time Grand Slam champion, Djokovic assertively entered this ATP World Tour 500 Series event. After Berrer held his opening serve in the second game, the Serb unleashed powerful groundstrokes and reeled off five games in a row. He blocked the lone breakpoint he faced and cashed in both break chances to pull out the opener with a breadstick.
Berrer lifted his game in the following set. He failed to seek any break opportunity but dusted away all three breakpoints he came across. The set went to a tie-breaker where the 32-year-old outclassed the top seed and eventually sealed the equaliser with a 7-6(3) win.
Ranked second in the world, Djokovic unleashed his class again in the final set. He got the desiderated break in the second game and leaped to a 3-0 lead. The Serb smoothly held his remaining serves and capitalised on another break chance in the last game, ultimately clinched the decider with a 6-2 score line.
Next in queue for the 25-year-old is the Argentinean contender, Carlos Berlocq. Berlocq triumphed over Australia’s Marinko Matosevic in a three-set nail-biter to set up this epic clash.
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