Novak Djokovic dumps Gael Monfils; meets Roger Federer in the semis– Abu Dhabi ATP Exhibition 2011
World number one, Novak Djokovic, regained his confidence after rallying past French Gael Monfils at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2011 on Thursday. He formulated a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 victory over the a former Top-10 to secure a semi-final clash
with Switzerland's Roger Federer at this exhibition tournament held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Serbian number one ended his season with a dismal performance at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals but he found his rhythm back at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City. Djokovic required three sets and after losing his serve
once, he pocketed the match and advanced confidently.
The high flying Serb stepped on the Arabian hard courts with conviction and after holding his serve in the opening game, he drew the first blood and eventually went 3-0 up. Later, Djokovic plucked remaining serves and converted another breakpoint opportunity
to his advantage in the last game to clinch the opener with a 6-2 score line.
The French number two found the US$250,000 track in the second set, as he took advantage of the Serb’s casual play in the opening game and got the desiderated break. Later Monfils brushed off all breakpoints he came across and subsequently sealed the
equaliser by winning six games to four.
The 24-year-old Serb found his rhythm back in the final set and smoothly held his serves till 3-2 through exquisite forehands from his arsenal of skills. He capitalised on the French’s double fault in the sixth game and after hitting a winner down
the line, the Serb got the coveted break. Djokovic then maintained his intensity and wiped out the following two games, eventually pocketing the set with a 6-2 score line again.
“I was working on some things throughout the match,” Djokovic said. “I was trying to find a good rhythm and I think I was playing really well for this stage. I am saying that as I am not yet 100 percent ready to perform at this level.”
Next up for the Serb is the 16 times Grand Slam title winner, Roger Federer, who received a bye to this spot after being last year’s runner-up. Standing at number three in the ATP rankings, Federer is currently on a 17 match winning streak which includes
clinching title at the Swiss Indoors Basel, BNP Paribas Masters in Paris and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.
“It is always a challenge to play Federer whether it is a tournament or exhibition,” stated the high spirited Serb. “He will always make you play well.”
The Swiss Ace leads Djokovic 14-10 in the head-to-head series. They last met at the US Open where the Serb saved two match points to triumph over Federer.
The Serb needs to maintain the consistency and intensity in his game to face a former world number one, Federer. Djokovic should not get overconfident after getting a lead in the game or a set as he will be squaring off against one of the most successful
tennis players. The youngster also needs to ward off all breakpoints he will face, since a single break of serve could change the outcome of the match.
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