Tennis News: Novak Djokovic one win away from world number one as Fabio Fognini pulls out
Unstoppable Serb, Novak "Djoker" Djokovic catapulted into the semi-finals of the 2011 Roland Garros on Monday, May 30th after his quarterfinal opponent, Italian Fabio Fognini pulled out of the event due to a an injury sustained earlier in the event.
World number forty nine, Fognini, suffered an injury to his leg during his tiresome almost-five hour long match against Albert Montanes in the fourth round on Saturday. Despite being injured, Fognini matched blow for blow against the Spaniard eventually securing a 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 11-9 saving five match points in the process.
However, as the injury leaves the Italian unfit for further play, he announced his retirement from the event giving Djokovic an automatic victory into the semi-finals. Fognini is the first Italian male tennis player since 1955 to make it to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, making it his career best here.
Commenting about his retirement from the event, Fognini said, "I have a small muscle tear and the doctors have decided that I should not play tomorrow. It's really difficult. I am finally in Paris playing against Djokovic tomorrow and he hadn't lost like 40 matches in a row. It's difficult because it's the best tournament of my career, but I think it's the best solution."
As Fognini exits the event, Djokovic comes a step closer to his dream of becoming world number one. An unstoppable force in 2011, the Serb already has seven titles to his name including the Grand Slam Down Under. Not having suffered a loss since the 2010 Davis Cup final, Djokovic stands on a 43 match winning streak – 41 for the season.
Moving into the semi-final, Djokovic faces either the Swiss maestro Roger Federer sporting a two match winning streak over him in the season or the Frenchman Gael Monfils. Should Djoker move into the final, he will be the new world number one come next week.
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