Djokovic eases into US Open quarters
Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic beat American Mardy Fish comfortably in the third round of the US Open, winning in three straight sets, 6–3 6–4 6–1.
With Fish unable to pounce on his superior serve, noting only three aces and a first serve percentage of 55, Djokovic never looked troubled during the match. He will now face Frenchman Gael Monfils in the quarter-final.
Early breaks only continued
The Serb began the first set very strongly by breaking Fish's serve in only the second game. Fish has one of the strongest serves on the ATP Tour, and to break it seemed a tough task so early on in the game.
Fish responded by breaking Djokovic's serve to make it 2–1 in games for the Serbian, but Fish could not get back on level terms as he failed to win his second serving game. Djokovic's second break of the day seemed to ensure that the set would go the Serbian's way.
Without Fish really threatening, Djokovic won the set 6–3 after claiming his remaining serving games.
The American's serve looked more familiar in the second set, which he began more promisingly. Fish won his first two service games to put him level with Djokovic.
But the third seed was able to break again in the fifth game, going up to 4–2 after Fish lost some chances to break at 4–3. Fish won only one of four break points during the match.
Having broken once in the second set, Djokovic continued to play his comfortable tennis. With Djokovic more stable than during his encounter with Viktor Troicki in the first round, Fish needed to play extraordinarily well to avoid defeat, but he did not.
Djokovic claims third set, could face Federer
Djokovic's fourth break of the match came in the first game of the third set. He then assuredly went up to a 3–1 lead, looking very intent on finishing the game off in straight sets. As Djokovic broke again to 4–1, his victory began to seem a certainty.
In the deciding game, Djokovic approached the net twice and volleyed home to go up 30–15 on points. At this stage, the Serbian was playing comfortably with a 5–1 lead in games. His game was at its most convincing at the end of the match.
Fish fought back with an ace after Djokovic landed two match points, but during the second, Fish's serve failed him and the Serbian could pressure him on the baseline. As the American's sliced backhand hit the net, Djokovic raised his hand to celebrate going into the last eight for the fourth season in a row.
Djokovic could face Roger Federer if the pair make it through to the semi-finals. The Swiss world number-two would prove a far stronger match than Fish did on Monday.
Tags: