Tennis Prose




Jun/21

9

Djokovic Survives Berrettini

Art by Andres Bella

Novak Djokovic has advanced to the dream semifinal clash of titans with the defending champion from Spain, after a brutally stressful, hard fought 62 63 67 75 win over Matteo Berrettini.

Djokovic bungled a 5-3 lead in the third set tiebreaker with some uncharacteristic errors, most likely caused by the pressure of Berrettini’s relentless blasting forehand strikes.

The fourth set continued the pattern with Djokovic unable to shake off the fierce Italian, playing the best tennis of his life. Finally, at 6-5, Djokovic got a match point only to see another brave Berrettini forehand winner inside in.

Djokovic playing super poised and stoic through all the adversity suddenly snapped and screamed and even appeared to threaten to throw his Head racquet at his box. But the venting of rage helped Djokovic as he earned another match point and then finally closed the deal.

Jim Courier called Djokovic’s mini tirade “an incredible reaction… an explosion of emotions.”

And you don’t hear Jim Courier use such hyperbole often but this time it was merited. Djokovic is now in the psycho beast mode he knows he has to be in, if he is to have any chance at all to threaten or defeat the all time king or god of red clay…Rafael Nadal.

Nadal won a four set quarterfinal earlier in the day vs Diego Schwartzman.

· · · ·

Comments are closed.

<<

>>

Find it!

Copyright 2010
Tennis-Prose.com
To top