MADRID: Novak Djokovic’s quest for a third Madrid Open title continues to gain momentum after he battled his way past Jeremy Chardy 6-1, 7-6(2), in their third round meeting on Thursday.
Seeking his first title since the Australian Open this week, the top seed was far from his top form. Illustrated by his 19 winners alongside 16 unforced errors. On the other hand, he did manage to win 83% of the points behind his first serve and remained unbroken throughout the encounter.
One only has to look at the history of the two player’s to see how much of an outstanding favorite the world No.1 was heading into the match. Against Chardy, he boasted an emphatic 28-0 sets record and has only lost to a French player twice in 67 meetings since the 2010 Davis Cup final. Losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2014 and Benoit Paire in 2018. Furthermore, Chardy had never defeated a top-three player in 21 attempts.
It was for this reason why few were surprised by Djokovic’s emphatic start that saw him race to a 5-0 in just 23 minutes. Admirably Chardy, who has been ranked as high as 25th in the world, threatened more towards the end of the first set. Failing to capitalize on three break point opportunities before finally getting on the scoreboard. Nevertheless, Djokovic remained in control of the opener as he closed it out with the help of an error from across the court.
Nearing towards a place in his 79th Masters quarter-final, Djokovic was not allowed to run away with the match thanks to some spirited play from across the court. Occasionally leaking costly errors as he was placed under pressure by his opponent throughout the second frame. Suddenly the dominance disappeared as Chardy forced the Serbian to work hard for the win.
With all to play for, Djokovic fended off a set point on the route to drawing level at 5-5. Prompting a huge sigh of relief for his entourage in the crowd. Chardy continued to have his chances, but Djokovic was one who knew how to took them.
It would be a tiebreaker that separated the two. A duo of forehand errors from his opponent helped guide the 15-time grand slam champion to a 6-2 lead. The victory was then seized on his first match point chance with a clean forehand winner from Djokovic.
“After the first set, the first game of the second where there were new balls, the feeling was completely different,” Djokovic said following his win. “He started making fewer errors, had a good forehand and I was a set point down. It (the match) could have gone a different way for me.”
“It was nice conditions for clay. I didn’t think it was too hot, it was pleasant. The wind picked up in the second set, compared to yesterday, the ball traveled faster and sometimes you just had to pick your position (on the court) and rely on your instinct when he is going to serve.” He added.
Djokovic will play Marin Cilic in his next match at the Caja Magica.
