Djokovic and Dolgopolov will rematch their first meeting which took place on Armstrong Stadium at the US Open 2011, where they broke the record for longest tiebreak in US Open history. Djokovic edged it and then dominated the second and third sets but I detected a trace of respect from Djokovic toward the Ukrainian after, when he seemed to undercredit his adversary’s game instead complaining about the difficult windy conditions. It seemed Djokovic want to minimize giving Dolgopolov credit because he viewed him as a future threat. Today’s rematch could be a thriller.
Right now, Dolgopolov is up two breaks on Djokovic at 5-2. Clearly, once again, as in the first set in New York last September, the game of Dolgopolov presents major problems for Djokovic.
Also, Berdych and Murray are through and will play next. Berd outsted Nishikori and Murray halted Bennetteau.
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Steve · April 19, 2012 at 2:29 pm
I wish I could watch this Dolgo/Djoker match. If Dolgo can keep his first serve percentage up he can win.
Mitch · April 19, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Djokovic’s issue is less Dolgopolov’s game than the fact that his grandmother just passed away. Seems to be in control now though.
Mitch · April 19, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Sorry not his grandmother, his grandfather.
Steve · April 19, 2012 at 3:23 pm
The rains have now disrupted play. I didn’t know about Djoker’s personal loss. That sucks.
However, you can see he dreads playing Dolgo. When Dolgo is on it’s very hard to read his shots and his power is shocking for someone of average size. His service motion is a strange whole body snap. If that serve is on he wins. If it’s off he loses.
Scoop Malinowski · April 19, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Mitch did you see the famous US Open tiebreak they played last year? Dolgopolov’s unconventional game sure gave Djok some major troubles in the first set that day. Dolgo’s A game matches up with anybody, including the world #1. Djokovic definitely is suffering at the loss of his beloved grandpop and settled down nicely in the second set. Should be a cracker of a third set.
Steve · April 19, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Congrats to Djoker on his win. It will be fun to watch it.
Scoop Malinowski · April 19, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Nice win for Djokovic, he was challenged and hung tough through the adversity. Very encouraging performance by Dolgopolov, he knows he is one of the very best elite players in the world. And not far from winning matches like this.
Dan Markowitz · April 19, 2012 at 6:24 pm
Scoop,
What has Dolgo done this year, who has he beaten, that makes you claim he’s one of “very best elite players in the world?” Come on! He lost to Cipolla last week 1 and 4. You could beat Cipolla. He lost to Llordra in Marseilles, Nadal in IW, Tipsarevic in Miami, Tomic at Aussie O. The only good event he’s had was the first one of the year where he beat Simon and got to finals. But besides beating Tsonga in last year’s Aussie O, who has Dolgo beaten?
The fact is, when you’re No. 21 and you have gotten to what, one slam quarter, and won one event in Umag, you’re not one of the very best elite player. You know who you are–you’re Vince Spadea basically.
Scoop Malinowski · April 19, 2012 at 7:05 pm
Dan I call Dolgo an elite player for two reasons – he was #15 in the world and he seems to be one of the very few players who has a game that disturbs Djokovic. Two times they have played and both times Djokovic has greatly struggled to overcome the challenge Dolgopolov presented. Similarly, I consider Wayne Ferreira and Richard Krajickek to be elite players of their era because of the successes they had against the prime Pete Sampras.