Novak Djokovic topples Robin Haase to reach semis at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters: Tennis Special
World number one, Novak Djokovic, tumbled over the Dutch ace, Robin Haase, in straight sets at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2012 on Friday. He penned down a 6-4, 6-2 victory against the 25-year-old to charge into the last four at this ATP (Association of
Tennis Professionals) clay court event taking place in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
The local resident, Djokovic, remained on course to bid for his third year-to-date title despite the shocking loss of his grandfather on Thursday. He not only improved to a 3-0 lifetime in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series against the Dutch number one but
also secured a place in the semi-finals at the Monte Carlo Country Club.
Seeded top at this Masters 1000 event, Djokovic, made a nervously stepped on the Monte Carlo dirt and suffered the first blow in the opening game. However, he made a fitting reply and went on a four-game tear, subsequently taking a 4-1 lead. Regardless of
losing his edge in the seventh game, Djokovic held his nerves and sealed the opener with a 6-4 win after capitalising on another break chance in the last game.
The 24-year-old carried his rhythm in the follow-up set and stroke out the opening four games in a row before gifting away his serve. Apart from capitalising on another break chance in the sixth game and taking a 5-1 lead, Djokovic lost his serve again in
the seventh. However, he remained calm and cashed in his fourth break opportunity in the last game, consequently bagging the set with a 6-2 success.
All in all, the Belgrade native manipulated a slightly lower first serve share of 60 per cent as opposed to Haase’s 61 per cent but acceptably clicked 18 out of 33 points on it. He also found 12 break opportunities and finished the match with 67 points.
Next in queue for the Serbian number one is the sixth seed, Tomas Berdych.
The jubilant Serb commented about his next match-up, "He's a threat to anybody on any surface. Big groundstrokes, powerful serve. He knows what it feels like to play on the big stage. He had a great match against Andy today. Hit incredible shots from baseline.
It's a big challenge for me to see if I'm able to keep the focus throughout the whole match because this is the only way I can actually get a win against Tomas. We'll see if that's going to happen. I'll give my best."
The seeded Czech stunned the world number four, Andy Murray, in a three set nail-biter to set-up this encounter. He squandered seven break chances in the opening set and eventually lost it in the tie-breaker. However, Berdych broke his rival’s serve five
times to formulate a 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3 score line in two hours and 48 minutes.
Djokovic needs to overcome his emotional turmoil by staying focus throughout the match in order to outsmart the Czech number one.
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