Djokovic escapes disqualification, faces Thiem for final spot in Paris
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NOVAK Djokovic reached his 30th grand slam semifinal yesterday but his quest for a first French Open title was almost scuppered by disqualification.
The world No. 1, a three-time runner-up and seeking a maiden Roland Garros crown to complete the career grand slam, defeated Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych 6-3, 7-5, 6-3, claiming a place in an eighth French Open semifinal and sixth in succession.
But the 29-year-old Serb, who will face Dominic Thiem of Austria today for a spot in the final, admitted he was lucky to escape being kicked out of the tournament in the second game of the third set.
Frustrated at missing a break point, Djokovic went to smash his racquet into the ground but it slipped out of his grasp before it flew into the backwall on Philippe Chatrier Court.
Had it hit the nearby line judge, who was forced to take evasive action, Djokovic would have been disqualified.
Not surprisingly, he offered a speedy apology to chair umpire Eva Asderaki Moore and escaped with a warning for racquet abuse.
“I was lucky there,” admitted Djokovic. “I apologized to the people that have been in this particular situation with me and that could have been hurt by my racquet.
“But, you know, it was never the intention. It was just some unfortunate bounce, but fortunate ending of that scenario. That’s all I can say.”
Yesterday’s quarterfinal was played out in a damp chill where temperatures nosedived to 12 degrees.
But it didn’t stop the Serb from claiming a 24th win in 26 meetings against Berdych and his 11th in a row.
Only Roger Federer, with 39 major semifinals, and Jimmy Connors, with 31, have participated in more major semifinals in the Open era.
Djokovic raced through the first set with breaks in the seventh and ninth games before stretching out to a 4-2 lead in the second.
Berdych broke for the first time to get to 3-4 but Djokovic restored his advantage in the 12th game for a two sets lead.
The two men exchanged breaks in the first two games of the third before Berdych became angry over the deteriorating wet conditions. “It’s a circus, just one big circus,” he fumed at tournament referee Wayne McKewen who took the players off for a brief stoppage to allow the rain to pass.
On the resumption, Djokovic broke for 5-3 and took victory when Berdych dumped a service return into the net.
Djokovic was playing for the third day in succession after a washout on Monday and just two hours of action on Tuesday.
“I’m very pleased to be in semifinals of another grand slam,” Djokovic said. “But because of the fact that I have to play every day, my focus right away goes for recovery and the next match. I don’t have much time.”
If he is to win an elusive French Open title, the top seed, who is also the Wimbledon, US and Australian Open champion, will have to play five days in six although he will start against Thiem as the favorite having won both their previous matches.
The 22-year-old Thiem defeated Belgium’s David Goffin 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4, 6-1 to make the semifinals of a grand slam for the first time.
“The first two sets were really good tennis. For both of us it was not easy with the conditions, but I am really happy right now,” said Thiem.
Today’s other semifinal will see British second seed Andy Murray take on third seed and defending champion Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland.
Also yesterday, defending champion Serena Williams rallied past Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 5-7, 6-4, 6-1. The American will face Kiki Bertens in the last four after the unseeded Dutchwoman saw off Swiss No. 8 Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-2.
Spain Garbine Muguruza will take on Sam Stosur of Australia in the other semifinal, both having won their quarterfinals on Wednesday.
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