Novak Djoković

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[arti]

Djokovic Clinical In Tsonga Win, Now For Shapovalov

Spoiler:

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic completed a clinical performance at 12:41 a.m. local time on Friday morning in a repeat of the 2008 final at the Australian Open.
The six-time former champion didn’t always fire on all cylinders against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, but took his chances and kept the French wild card under pressure in a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory over two hours and four minutes.
Djokovic admitted there was a lot of tension on court against Tsonga. “Playing on the centre stage against Jo, who I consider [as] one of the greatest rivals that I had throughout my career. We played many thrilling matches, Olympic Games, all over the world, every possible surface… [His] ranking is definitely not showing the right picture of his quality. I'm glad to see him playing. I hope that he can get back where he deserves: at the top of the men's game.”
Djokovic, who hit 33 winners including 12 aces, will next come face-to-face with 19-year-old #NextGenATP Canadian Denis Shapovalov on Saturday in the third round, which the Serbian has reached for the 12th time.
“He's very pumped," said Djokovic, when asked about Shapovalov. "He brings a lot of energy to the court, which is great to see. I expect a really interesting encounter. He will not have anything really to lose, so I'm sure he's going to come out really pumped.”
Djokovic made the first move to break for a 3-1 lead, but the fluent stroke-making of Tsonga returned. The Frenchman, who missed seven months of last year due to left knee surgery, evoked memories of his peak-performance days in a competitive second set, which was decided in the 11th game. Djokovic converted his fourth break point chance when Tsonga made a backhand error.
Three straight forehand errors from Tsonga handed Djokovic a 3-2 lead in the third set, which proved to be enough for his 17th win in 23 FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings (11-6 on hard courts). Djokovic won the first of his 14 Grand Slam championship trophies with victory over Tsonga in the 2008 final at Melbourne Park.
Twelve months ago, Djokovic lost to Hyeon Chung in the Australian Open fourth round, but returned to peak form in June en route to finishing 2018 at year-end No. 1 in the ATP Rankings.
“One of the biggest lessons that I had to learn is patience, trusting life, trusting the process that things will come, that things will get to a point where I want to be, or where I would like to achieve, or how I want to play. I just needed to trust the process, be patient.
“I was impatient, to be honest, especially after surgery [following last year’s championship]. I was rushing way too early to get back into competitive tennis. I was able to play a month or five weeks after surgery, which was quite fast considering.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovi ... -open-2019

[Damian]

Djokovic Downs Shapovalov To Guarantee No. 1 Spot

Spoiler:

Serbian will stay No. 1 on 28 January
Novak Djokovic secured himself a longer stay at No. 1 in the ATP Rankings and a spot in the second week of the Australian Open on Saturday.
The Serbian appeared to be sailing into the fourth round against #NextGenATP Canadian Denis Shapovalov, but dropped five straight games from 4-1 in the third set before securing a 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 victory against the big-hitting lefty. Djokovic advanced to the Round of 16 for the 12th time, and he'll face Russian Daniil Medvedev for a place in the quarter-finals.
"Other than the little letdown that I had when I was 4-1 up in the third set, I thought I played well, especially in the fourth set," said Djokovic. "I expected Denis to come out and be aggressive... I just stayed solid from back of the court, served well and played the right shots."
The 31-year-old is going for history this fortnight. He and Federer share the Open Era record for the most Australian Open titles (six).
Tennis Radio
There was chatter of Shapovalov potentially giving Djokovic a scare on Rod Laver Arena, especially after the 19-year-old Canadian took the third set in dramatic fashion. But 14-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic squashed those thoughts from the start of the fourth set.
Shapovalov was crippled by nerves in the beginning. Djokovic led by a double break after only five games, thanks, in part, to Shapovalov's 12 unforced errors. The Canadian settled in before the set ended, but his go-for-it-all game didn't phase Djokovic, who broke once more to finish the first.
The Serbian didn't reach his apex in the second, landing only 42 per cent of his first serves. But he was never threatened with the ball on his racquet; Shapovalov didn't see a break point after the first set. In the third, the World No. 1 led 4-1, but then lost his way, double faulting to lose his serve at 4-4. Shapovalov then found his way back into the match, winning his fifth game in a row after converting his third set point with a forehand to the open court.
"For the first two sets, I just had things under control," said Djokovic. "At 4-1 [in the third set], I was agitated. It should not happen to me. I know better. I have experience. But it does happen, I guess. I allowed him to come back to the match.
You May Also Like: Djokovic, Federer Lead Group of Australian Open Contenders
But the six-time champion reset in the fourth set, re-establishing his dominance over the #NextGenATP Canadian. Djokovic won 89 per cent of second-serve return points (8/9) in the fourth set to clinch three service breaks and move into the fourth round.
"He's really solid," said Shapovalov. "But I had my chances, definitely... He started the fourth set really well. After that it was a little bit tough. The balls rolled. He was really taking advantage. He played a really good fourth set."
Djokovic guarantees he'll stay No. 1 on 28 January, when the new ATP Rankings are released. If he had failed to make the fourth round and Rafael Nadal had won the tournament, the Spaniard would have returned to the top spot.
"It was important to start off the fourth set well. It was close [in the] first two games. Making that break was crucial for me. But I like the fact that I was tested, as well, because you want to be tested, especially as you are improving, going along in the tournament."
Medvedev completed a perfect sweep through the first three rounds, winning his third straight-sets match 6-2, 7-6(3), 6-3 against 21st seed David Goffin. “I think was playing quite good today,” Medvedev said.
The 22-year-old advanced to his first fourth round at a Grand Slam in Australia, the same place where it all began for him last year. “I love Australia,” he said.
Watch: Medvedev Celebrates Maiden Title In Sydney
Medvedev was ranked No. 84 when he captured his first tour-level title at the Sydney International 12 months ago. He followed that title with two more – Winston-Salem Open and the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships – to go 3-0 in finals.
Now he's looking to do more damage on the biggest stage in tennis. Djokovic leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 2-0, both coming in 2017.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovi ... 9-saturday

[Damian]

46 awans do IV rundy WS #AO19

[1] Novak Djoković (SRB) d. [25] Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 6-3 6-4 4-6 6-0 Statystyki meczu

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237. tydzień liderowania rozpocznie po AO Novak.

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[Damian]

AO19: 43. wielkoszlemowy ćwierćfinał.


telegraph

Novak osiąga 43 ćwierćfinał w karierze na poziomie WS i 10 w AO, przez co kompletuje jako drugi mężczyzna (po Federerze) w karierze co najmniej 10 ćwierćfinałów w każdym ze szlemów! #AO19

[1] Novak Djoković (SRB) d. [15] Daniił Miedwidiew (RUS) 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 6-3 Statystyki meczu

[arti]

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[Lleyton]

Novak Djoković wyczerpany po meczu 1/8 finału: Czuję się jak po pięciosetówce

Spoiler:

Novak Djoković przyznał, że pojedynek z Daniłem Miedwiediewem w IV rundzie Australian Open był dla niego bardzo trudny pod względem fizycznym. - Mimo że wygrałem 3:1, czuję się jak po pięciosetówce. Ten mecz był wyczerpujący fizycznie - stwierdził.
Marcin Motyka
Marcin Motyka
21 Stycznia 2019, 20:09
REKLAMA
Getty Images / Mark Kolbe / Na zdjęciu: Novak Djoković

Australian Open: Novak Djoković zamęczył Daniła Miedwiediewa. Dziesiąty ćwierćfinał Serba w Melbourne

W IV rundzie Australian Open 2019 Novak Djoković pokonał 6:4, 6:7(5), 6:2, 6:3 Daniła Miedwiediewa. - Myślę, że rozegrałem dobry mecz, choć - podobnie jak w poprzedniej rundzie z Shapovalovem - prowadziłem z przewagą seta i przełamania, ale pozwoliłem rywalowi wrócić do gry. Tie break nie był dla mnie dobry. W trzecim secie kluczowe okazały się pierwsze cztery gemy. Poczułem wtedy, że on opadł pod względem fizycznym, i wziąłem nad nim górę. Z kolei w czwartym znów zaczął grać dobrze - analizował podczas konferencji prasowej.

Serb ocenił, że był to bardzo wymagający pojedynek pod względem fizycznym. - Przez większą część meczu to była gra w kotka i myszkę. Graliśmy długo i mieliśmy wiele wymian składających się z 40-45 uderzeń. Wzajemnie nie pozwalaliśmy sobie myśleć, że możemy popełniać błędy i oddawać punkty za darmo. Mimo że wygrałem 3:1, czuję się jak po pięciosetówce. Ten mecz był wyczerpujący fizycznie, bo nie mogliśmy polegać na taktyce na jedno-dwa uderzenia.

W końcówce spotkania Djoković czuł ból pleców. - Po meczu musiałem wypełnić cały swój program ćwiczeń, bo w ciągu ostatnich 20 minut nie czułem się dobrze. To coś z plecami, trochę wynikające ze zmęczenia. Ale to nic wielkiego. Po takich pojedynkach na takiej nawierzchni pojawiają się pewne rzeczy. Zobaczymy, jak zareaguje moje ciało, ale jestem pewien, że będę gotowy na kolejne spotkanie - wyjaśniał.

W środę ćwierćfinałowym rywalem belgradczyka będzie Kei Nishikori. Z Japończykiem Serb wygrał 15 z 17 rozegranych pojedynków, w tym jeden w Melbourne (6:3, 6:2, 6:4 w ćwierćfinale przed trzema laty). Po raz ostatni zmierzyli się 7 września zeszłego roku w półfinale US Open. Wówczas Djoković wygrał 6:3, 6:4, 6:2.

- Kei wygrał kolejny maraton. Gratuluję mu zwycięstwa w meczu, w którym przegrywał 0-2 w setach i miał stratę przełamania w trzecim. Jest wojownikiem i utalentowanym oraz ciężko pracującym tenisistą. To także jeden z najszybszych graczy w rozgrywkach. Mam do niego dużo szacunku. Wiele razy graliśmy ze sobą, więc spodziewam się, że teraz spróbuje czegoś nowego. Oczekuję wyrównanego pojedynku - powiedział lider rankingu ATP.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/tenis/80064 ... ciosetowce

[arti]

Djokovic Works Hard To Beat Medvedev At Australian Open

Spoiler:

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic took another step towards a record-breaking seventh Australian Open crown in the early hours of Tuesday morning by reaching the quarter-finals.

The Serbian, who has won 14 Grand Slam championship crowns, was made to work to beat Russian No. 15 seed Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3 over three hours and 15 minutes on Rod Laver Arena. The match ended at 12:43 a.m. local time at Melbourne Park.

Djokovic, who has now reached 10 or more quarter-finals at each of the four major championships, will prepare to meet eighth-seeded Japanese star Kei Nishikori. Djokovic leads Nishikori 15-2 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.

You May Also Like: Marathon Man Nishikori Outlasts Carreno Busta In Fifth Set Tie-break

“I had to do post-match, all of the part of my recovery program, because I didn't feel so great in the last 20 minutes or so of the match,” said Djokovic. “So we'll see tomorrow how the body reacts, but I'm confident I can recover and I can be ready for next one.

“Kei won another marathon match. Congratulations to him for fighting back from two-sets-to-love down and break down. He's a fighter. He's a very talented player. One of the quickest players on the tour. A hard worker. I have lots of respect for him.”

Tennis Radio

Djokovic turned the tables on Medvedev in the first set, saving one break point at 30/40 in the fifth game, before applying the pressure to take a 4-2 lead, courtesy of three straight errors from his Russian opponent. Medvedev tightened up his game and broke Djokovic to recover to 4-5, but Djokovic sealed the 39-minute set in the next game with a backhand, his 11th winner.

“I thought I played a good match. I was a set and a break up, something similar like against to [Denis] Shapovalov," said Djokovic. "Unfortunately, I, again, lost my serve and got him back into the match. The tie-break was not that great for me."

In an enormously physical match, Djokovic began to wear down Medvedev, who grit his teeth to save five-break points in an 11-minute second game of the second set. The Serbian broke for 3-1 and came within one point of a 5-1 advantage, but Medvedev held his nerve to win three straight games. Medvedev won the first three points of the tie-break and saw three set point chances — from 6/2 up — come and go, before Djokovic hit a forehand into the net.

“After that, the first four games of the third set were crucial, and that's where I felt like he dropped physically a bit, and that's when I got on top of him to win the third set. In the fourth he started playing well again," said Djokovic. "Even though it was three sets to one, it seems like a five-set match, really. It was draining physically a lot, because you just could not rely on one-two punch tactics, you know, in today's match so often.”

Medvedev looked in the ascendency with a 2-1 lead in the third set, when he had Djokovic at 0/40. However, the World No. 1 escaped, before breaking in the following game and winning 12 of the next 15 points — including a second break at 4-2 — as Medvedev began to noticeably tire.

Three errors from Medvedev, under mounting pressure, saw Djokovic break for a 2-1 lead in the fourth set. The 22-year-old Medvedev continued to fight, but was unable to convert a break point at 2-3. Djokovic struck a forehand winner, his 43rd, to break and record his seventh win in eight matches in 2019.

“It was hard to go through him,” said Djokovic. “It was kind of a cat-and-a-mouse game for most of the match. That's why it was so lengthy. We had rallies of 40, 45 exchanges. That's why I think it was physically exhausting because of the fact that we didn't really allow each other to think that we can make a lot of unforced errors and give away points. His backhand is very, very solid. He didn't give me much from that side, but, you know, you can't always play on the forehand. You have to open up the court and try to be patient and construct the point."

The 31-year-old Djokovic guaranteed he will remain at No. 1 in the ATP Rankings on 28 January by reaching the Australian Open fourth round.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovi ... -open-2019

[arti]

[arti]

Djokovic To Play Pouille In Australian Open Semi-finals

Spoiler:

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic booked his place in the Australian Open for the seventh time on Wednesday night when Kei Nishikori retired due to injury in the second set.

Djokovic, a six-time former champion at Melbourne Park, was leading 6-1, 4-1 when eighth seed Nishikori called time on the match after 52 minutes of play. The Serbian will now contest his 34th Grand Slam championship semi-final against French No. 28 seed Lucas Pouille. It will be a first-time meeting.

You May Also Like: Determined Pouille Fights Into Australian Open Semi-finals

Nishikori, with four hours more court time than Djokovic in his legs, immediately came under pressure in his first service game when Djokovic nailed a backhand winner down the line for break point. The Japanese star, with three five-set clashes under his belt in four rounds, then dumped a backhand into the net and soon Djokovic lead, rather ominously, 3-0. Once Djokovic broke again for a 5-1 advantage, Nishikori called for a trainer and as the 31-minute set ended, he received treatment for a right thigh complaint.

Djokovic won 16 of the first 17 points in the set and upon breaking for a 4-1 lead, Nishikori walked to the net to end the pair’s 18th FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting (Djokovic now leads 16-2).

It brings to an end Nishikori’s eight-match winning streak in 2019. The 29-year-old captured his 12th ATP Tour title at the Brisbane International (d. Medvedev) in the first week of the season.

The 31-year-old Djokovic will remain at No. 1 in the ATP Rankings when the new lists are published on 28 January.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovi ... -open-2019

[Damian]

AO19: 7 półfinał w Melbourne i 34 w WS!


@AustralianOpen

[1] Novak Djoković (SRB) d. [8] Kei Nishikori (JPN) 6-1 4-1 i krecz Statystyki meczu

[arti]

[arti]

[Lleyton]

Novak Djoković po trzech latach w półfinale Australian Open. "Przez moją głowę przechodziły różne myśli"

Spoiler:

Nie planowałem zakończenia kariery, ale przez moją głowę przechodziły różne myśli - powiedział Novak Djoković, który rok temu zakończył Australian Open w fatalnym nastroju, a w środę po trzech latach powrócił na poziom 1/2 finału tego turnieju.
Marcin Motyka
Marcin Motyka
23 Stycznia 2019, 13:36
REKLAMA
Getty Images / Julian Finney / Na zdjęciu: Novak Djoković
REKLAMA

Australian Open: krecz wyczerpanego Keia Nishikoriego. Novak Djoković w półfinale

W ćwierćfinale Australian Open 2019 Novak Djoković wyeliminował Keia Nishikoriego, który skreczował przy wyniku 6:1, 4:1. - Trudno powiedzieć, co wpłynęło na jego stan psychiczny, ale fizycznie na pewno był kontuzjowany. Przykro mi, widząc jak cierpi, zwłaszcza że w ostatnich latach miał poważne kontuzje. Jestem pewien, że czuje się źle, w ten sposób kończąc mecz w turnieju wielkoszlemowym. Ale rozegrał tutaj maratońskie pojedynki, które prawdopodobnie odbiły się na jego zdrowiu - mówił na konferencji prasowej.

Dla Serba to 34. w karierze awans do wielkoszlemowego półfinału. W 1/2 finału Australian Open zameldował się po raz siódmy, ale pierwszy od 2016 roku. - Czuję się świetnie. Pod względem sukcesów Australian Open to mój najlepszy turniej wielkoszlemowy. Tutaj zdobyłem swój pierwszy tytuł Wielkiego Szlema i mam stąd wiele wspaniałych wspomnień. Taki początek sezonu jest dla mnie znakomity i z pewnością będzie pomocny w nabraniu pewności przed nadchodzącymi wydarzeniami - powiedział.

Belgradczyk wspominał wydarzenia sprzed roku, kiedy zmagał się z kontuzją łokcia i kryzysem mentalnym. - Nie planowałem zakończenia kariery, ale przez moją głowę przechodziły różne myśli. Osiągnąłem wiele, więc stawia to wszystko w innej perspektywie. Dlatego myślę, że zawsze należy wrócić do początku, do tego, dlaczego wciąż gram. A robię to z miłości i z pasji. Po kontuzji i operacji musiałem sięgnąć głęboko, by się zainspirować. Do działania doprowadził mnie pewien rodzaj czystych emocji. Niezbędne było też wsparcie bliskich. Jak dotąd wszystko jest w porządku. Nie wiemy, co przyniesie jutro, ale mam nadzieję, że będzie jak najlepsze.

Djoković zaprzeczył również informacjom, że po meczu IV rundy z Daniłem Miedwiediewem, podczas którego zmagał się z bólem pleców, zorganizował zamknięty trening poza obiektami Melbourne Park. - Mecz z Miedwiediewem był bardzo wyczerpujący. Ale doszedłem do siebie i nie miałem wątpliwości, że tej nocy będę w pełni sprawny. Jeśli chodzi o zamknięty trening, jest to absolutna nieprawda. Ćwiczyłem na Margaret Court Arena. Byłem tam sam i bardzo mi się to podobało.

W 1/2 finału, w piątek, 31-latek z Belgradu zmierzy się z Lucasem Pouille'em. - To zabawne, że wiele razy wspólnie trenowaliśmy, ale nigdy ze sobą nie graliśmy. On jest świetnym tenisistą i w tym turniej fantastycznie sobie radzi. Ma jakość i potencjał, by być w czołowej "15", "10" rankingu. Obaj na pewno będziemy chcieli awansować do finału. Mam nadzieję, że zrobimy show - ocenił lider klasyfikacji ATP.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/tenis/80095 ... -glowe-prz

[Damian]

Djokovic: 'I Always Try To Push Myself Here'

Spoiler:

Serbian reflects on past 12 months ahead of Pouille semi-final
Twelve months ago after a fourth-round exit at the Australian Open, when he nursed an elbow injury, Novak Djokovic was searching for his game and motivation. Today, the Serbian sits atop the ATP Rankings and is fully focused on the job at hand: to win a record seventh title in Melbourne.
“It feels great,” said Djokovic, who advanced to the semi-finals on Wednesday. “This has been my most successful Grand Slam throughout my career, the first one that I won back in 2008. The past two years have been a bit tough with the elbow injury and everything, but over the past 10 years, I've had plenty of success here. Obviously, that has helped to kick-start the season in a great fashion [and], obviously, served as a great confidence boost for what was coming up after that.
“I think that's one of the reasons why I think I always try to push myself really, to focus here and to play as best as I can so I can really start off the season well. Obviously, I'm not the only one. Everyone tries to get their hands on one of the four biggest titles in the sport. But Australia has been really kind to me throughout my career.”
Six of his 14 Grand Slam championship trophies have come in Melbourne, where he has a 66-8 match record.
Tennis Radio
By going back to basics, Djokovic went on a tear midway through 2018, winning Wimbledon, the US Open and becoming the first player in ATP Masters 1000 history to complete the Career Golden Masters of all nine tournaments.
When asked to reflect on the past 12 months, the 31-year-old said, “I think it always has to start or go back to the very essence of why I play the sport: it's love and passion for the game. I think I had to really I think dig deep to kind of inspire myself even more after an injury and surgery.
“I did not plan to end my career, but different thoughts were going through my mind, without a doubt [during] that period. Having achieved a lot throughout my career, obviously puts things in a different perspective. At the same time I still enjoy playing tennis, competing of course as well. Just for the sake of holding the racquet in my hands and playing on any court, whether it's a public court or a Grand Slam court.
“I think that kind of pure emotion got me going. Of course, support of loved ones is essential.”
You May Also Like: Djokovic To Play Pouille In Australian Open Semi-finals
On Friday, Djokovic will challenge Lucas Pouille, the seventh Frenchman in the Open Era (since April 1968) to reach the Australian Open semi-finals. The pair will play for the first time.
“I always thought he's a great quality player. I mean, what he has done this tournament is fantastic. He has won against some top players. Of course Milos [Raonic] and [Borna] Coric. He struggled a little bit with consistency of his results in the past two years.
“But with the quality of the tennis that he possesses, he deserves to be definitely Top 15, maybe Top 10 in the world. He's got that quality and potential, no question about it.
“It's funny that we're going to play first time against each other. We've practised many times. We've known each other obviously for a long time… We both, I'm sure, want to get to the finals. Hopefully we can both be fresh and fit and put on the great show.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovi ... wednesday2