Novak Djokovic trounces Alexandr Dolgopolov to enter quarters – Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2012
Top seed, Novak Djokovic, bounces back to outgun the Ukrainian tennis star, Alexandr Dolgopolov, in a three set nail-biter at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2012 on Thursday. He joggled up 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory against the 23-year-old to labour into the quarter-finals
at this clay court tournament which is part of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Masters 1000 series held in Monaco.
The world number one, Djokovic, stayed on track to bid his third year-to-date title after making an epic comeback to oust the Ukrainian in their second meeting. After earning this success, the Serb not only improved to 2-0 all time in the FedEx ATP Head
2 Head series against Dolgopolov but also booked a spot in the final eight.
Ranked 21st in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Dolgopolov made a strong entry at the Monte Carlo Country Club and drew the first blood in the third game to leap at 3-1. He then slid his remaining serves after fending off both
breakpoints he faced and cashed in his second break chance in the seventh game to seal the opener by winning six games to two.
Djokovic, who was untouchable for 42 matches from the start of the last season, re-ignited his spark in the second set and jumped to a 3-0 lead before the Ukrainian could hold on. The Serb then stroke out the last three games and pulled out the equaliser
with a breadstick.
The Serbian number one kept momentum rolling in the final set and smoothly swiped in his entire serves without facing any real challenge. He got the breakthrough in the ninth game and clinched the decider with a 6-4 score line.
All in all, the 24-year-old struck five aces and cashed in three out of nine break opportunities to seal the deal in one hour and 39 minutes. He also produced a better first serve share of 72 per cent as compared to Dolgopolov’s 56 per cent and spectacularly
clicked 37 out of 48 points on it.
Next in line for Djokovic is the Dutch number one, Robin Haase, who stomped over Thomaz Bellucci in straight sets to set-up this duel.
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