Djokovic started off the match with a quick 3-0 lead on Darcis, and he had two break points to make it 4-0, but Darcis kept focused, saved two breakpoints and broke back. Both players kept their serves, but Darcis was pushing Djokovic very hard, getting a breakpoint for a 5-4 lead. The Serb held on and after a lengthy game at 6-5, he took the third breakpoint in the game and the first set in astonishing 61 minutes.
Djokovic took another 3-0 lead in the second set, but this time he kept it throughout the set and showed a much stable service performance, not facing a single breakpoint the entire set. Djokovic had two set points at 5-2, but eventually served out for 6-3. Djokovic broke in the first game of the third set, but Darcis broke back to 2-2. Djokovic took the deciding break to 4-3. The World No. 1 had a match point at 5-3, but had to serve out for 6-4 in the end.
Djokovic said: “I’m pleased to get the job done in three sets, but there were things that I definitely didn’t like in my game today. Too many unforced errors from the first or second shot in the rally. But credit to Steve for playing a lot of variety and mixing up the pace, very low slice. It’s not easy because he’s very quick and he anticipates the play very well.”
